UN Staff, Nine Others Regain Freedom From Boko Haram/ ISWAP

A senior Protection Assistant with the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Abubakar Garba Idris, is one of 10
people who have regained freedom from their abductors.

A source who confirmed the development, further stated that
several of those released are currently undergoing medical and
military check by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, after
which they will be reunited with their various families.

The UN staff, Garba, was abducted by the Islamic State of West
African Province (ISWAP) on Maiduguri/Damaturu highway about five
months ago.

The insurgents had attacked a convoy of travellers close to
Matari village between Mainok to Jakana along the
Maiduguri/Damaturu highway, where Garba was abducted on Saturday,
January 2.

The insurgents, dressed in military uniforms, mounted a
roadblock on the highway with three Hilux vans and motorcycles.

Garba caught the attention of the insurgents when he attempted
to throw away his identification card. A businessman, Muazu Bawa,
who was also released, was in his private vehicle and ran over the
Boko Haram checkpoint but his car was shot from behind before the
insurgents whisked him away.

Executive Director of Yobe State Network of Civil Society,
Abubakar Baba Shehu, who also confirmed the release, prayed for
more captives to be freed.

“I was together with someone who called a family member of Garba
and he has confirmed the release of his brother. This is
encouraging news and we pray that more captives should be released
soon,” Shehu said.

Meanwhile, friends of the freed captives have taken to Facebook
and other social media platforms to celebrate the release of their
friends from Boko haram captivity.

A senior Protection Assistant with the United Nations High
Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Abubakar Garba Idris, is one of 10
people who have regained freedom from their abductors.

A source who confirmed the development, further stated that
several of those released are currently undergoing medical and
military check by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, after
which they will be reunited with their various families.

The UN staff, Garba, was abducted by the Islamic State of West
African Province (ISWAP) on Maiduguri/Damaturu highway about five
months ago.

The insurgents had attacked a convoy of travellers close to
Matari village between Mainok to Jakana along the
Maiduguri/Damaturu highway, where Garba was abducted on Saturday,
January 2.

The insurgents, dressed in military uniforms, mounted a
roadblock on the highway with three Hilux vans and motorcycles.

Garba caught the attention of the insurgents when he attempted
to throw away his identification card. A businessman, Muazu Bawa,
who was also released, was in his private vehicle and ran over the
Boko Haram checkpoint but his car was shot from behind before the
insurgents whisked him away.

Executive Director of Yobe State Network of Civil Society,
Abubakar Baba Shehu, who also confirmed the release, prayed for
more captives to be freed.

“I was together with someone who called a family member of Garba
and he has confirmed the release of his brother. This is
encouraging news and we pray that more captives should be released
soon,” Shehu said.

Meanwhile, friends of the freed captives have taken to Facebook
and other social media platforms to celebrate the release of their
friends from Boko haram captivity.