ABDUCTED UNIMAID LECTURERS, 10 COPS’ WIVES FREED
Three lecturers of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) who were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Magumeri, Borno State, have regained freedom.
The Department of State Services yesterday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the release, which was secured through negotiations. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement.
He said also released by the Boko Haram terrorists were 10 women kidnapped in a raid by the militant group on a military/police convoy on Damboa Road near Maiduguri.
He said their release followed series of negotiations as directed by President Buhari and was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The university lecturers were abducted in July, 2017, while conducting oil prospecting in the Lake Chad area on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Some of their colleagues were killed during the abduction.
Malam Shehu said according to the brief given by the DSS, all 13 rescued persons were in the custody of the service and were on their way to Abuja, with the assistance of the Nigerian Army and the Air Force.
Shehu said in expectation of their arrival at the DSS headquarters, a team of doctors and psychologists had been placed on standby.
He said the rescued persons might be presented to the president and thereafter released to their families if there were no issues of security or medical concerns.
He said the president, who got step by step progress report on the lengthy negotiations while they took place, received the good news with a lot of happiness.
He said President Buhari commended all those who, in one way or the other, helped in making the release possible.
He said Buhari urged the DSS and the Nigerian Army to intensify efforts towards bringing home the remaining Chibok girls still in the custody of the terrorists.
Shehu said the Director-General of the DSS, Malam Lawal Daura, assured the president that they were working hard to bring home the remaining Chibok girls.