A cross section of the rescued women and children
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Nigerian military has achieved a significant milestone in the fight against Boko Haram, rescuing 330 women and children from the terrorist group’s enclaves in Sambisa forest.
The survivors, comprising 110 women and 220 children, were handed over to the Borno state government on Monday at the Sports Center of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army Maimamalari Cantonment Maiduguri.
The Theater Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Command Headquarters Maimamalari Cantonment Maiduguri, Maj. Gen. Wahidu Shaibu, disclosed that the rescue operation was carried out by troops in Operation at Dikwa and Bama axis.
Maj. Gen. Shaibu said the survivors were profiled, given medical checks and treatment, and provided with food, clothing, and polio immunization.
He attributed the success of the rescue mission to the support of the Borno state government’s non-kinetic approach, which has facilitated the increasing number of rescues of those still in captivity.
He also appreciated the efforts of the media and the state ministry of women affairs and social development in the rehabilitation and reintegration of the rescued individuals.
Receiving the survivors, Hajiya Aisha Shettima, Director of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, assured that the women and children would undergo mental and psychosocial checks, rehabilitation, and skills acquisition training before being reintegrated with their families and returned to society.
She also commended the military’s efforts and concern, assuring proper deradicalization processes as part of the Borno Model Concept implementation.
The event was marked with a group photograph and symbolic handing over of the rescued women and children.
