Military Operation Leads to Escape of 12 Boko Haram Victims

In a significant development, twelve abducted victims managed to escape from Boko Haram captivity as the military launched an offensive against the insurgents' camp. The operation came shortly after a 72-hour ultimatum was issued by the state government in response to threats from the terrorists, who warned they would keep the victims captive indefinitely.

The escapees, consisting of ten men and two women, were confirmed by Samaila Kaigama, the president of the Borno South Youth Alliance. The victims included Aisha Audu (20), Hajara Audu (18 months), Aisha Idrisa (17), Hafsat Idrisa (4 months), Aisha Abubakar (22), Maryam Umar (11 months), Zainabu Umar Mbasuwa (22), Salma Abubakar (2 months), Musa Umar (7 years), Suleiman Umar (9 years), Aisha Abubakar (17), and Aisha Musa (10).

The military operation forced the insurgents to abandon the captives, who had been taken during an attack on a military base in Ngoshe on March 4. The situation remains critical, with a larger number of victims believed to still be held by the insurgents.