Three Women Kidnapped By Boko Haram Escape, Says Shettima

pres_jonathan_and_shettimaGovernor Kashim Shettima of Borno State said on Tuesday that some women kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect in Bama have escaped from captivity.

Dozens of suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the wee hours of Friday attacked the Mohammed Kur Barracks in Bama, 67km outside Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, killing several people including women and children but were later repelled by troops, who killed scores of the attackers and burnt their vehicles.

Mr. Shettima said about three women were also taken captive by the attackers.

“Two or three women were kidnapped and luckily they escaped,” the governor said. “So [it] is not true that Boko Haram is holding unto women and kids”.

Shettima made this known while speaking with State House correspondents shortly after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Responding to questions on the claim that the barrack is now deserted following last Friday’s attack which is the second in recent times, Gov. Shettima said, “It is not true. I am the man on ground and I can tell you authoritatively what is happening.

“Women and children normally during crisis are moved to safer locations but the soldiers are on ground, they are right now in Bama and are doing their job very well”.

He also commended the federal government for its spirited efforts in bringing an end to the insurgency.

“The federal government is doing its best,” he said, adding “I’m just her to brief Mr. President of what transpired in Bama; I believe that very soon this issue will be frontally addressed and it will be a thing of the past”.