Freed victims of a recent mass rescue operation in Borno State have narrated the horrific conditions they endured while held captive by terrorists in the Mandara Mountains for months.
The victims, numbering about 360, were rescued during a military operation conducted by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in southern Borno. Many of those freed were women and children abducted during attacks on communities in Gwoza Local Government Area earlier this year.
Speaking after regaining freedom, several survivors described severe hunger, sickness, exhaustion and the death of children while in captivity. According to some of the freed captives, they survived mainly on guinea corn served once daily and slept on bare rocks in mountainous terrain with little access to clean water.
One victim, Halima Musa, said six children died during the period of captivity after falling ill, while others recounted how the terrorists separated teenage boys from the group, allegedly for recruitment as fighters.
Another survivor revealed that the captives were marched down from the mountains by the terrorists before eventually reaching Nigerian troops. Some of the freed victims also alleged they saw several Ghana-Must-Go bags delivered to the insurgents’ enclave shortly before their release, although officials denied any ransom payment was made.
The Nigerian Army confirmed that two infants died from exhaustion caused by the harsh terrain and prolonged suffering during captivity. Military authorities described the rescue as a major operational success against Boko Haram insurgents operating within the Mandara mountain region.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum later visited the released captives in Pulka, where they are currently receiving medical treatment, food support and psychosocial care before being reunited with their families.