We’ve received 434 freed hostages in 2 weeks –Zulum

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

More than 430 persons abducted by terrorists in Borno State have been freed from captivity within two weeks and handed over to the state government.

Governor Babagana Zulum made this known yesterday in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area during his visit to the 360 hostages recently freed from Boko Haram enclave.

“Two to three weeks ago, we received some people who were kidnapped earlier and a few days ago, we also received 360, now totalling 434 persons,” he disclosed, while addressing the victims at an arena in Pulka.

Zulum said he was aware that the harsh condition in the terrorists’ camps had inflicted heavy trauma on the freed hostages. He announced a move to start the rehabilitation process, including medicare and psycho-social support for the victims to ensure their mental, physical and economic stability.

He also announced delivery of foods and non food items to the victims, urging them to be grateful to God despite their situation.

“The government will do everything possible to rehabilitate them to ensure their safe return to their homes as they desire or want,” he promised.

He said the state government had commenced rebuilding of Ngoshe, the town where they were kidnapped by Boko Haram on March 4, following a bloody attack, destruction and seizure of the community by the terrorist group.

Gov Zulum commended the Department of State Security (DSS) for facilitating the intelligence that led to the freedom of the 360 people. He also lauded the support of the president to the military and security agencies to improve the security situation in Borno and North East troubled by protracted terrorist attacks.