…Wives of 10 police officers also

By Adekunle Aliyu

Department of State Service, DSS, yesterday, said that three University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) staffers who were  abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Magumeri, Borno State, during an exploration trip with officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in July 25, 2017, have been released.

According to the DSS,  also  freed  were  10 women  kidnapped in a raid by the militant group on a military/police convoy on Damboa road, near Maiduguri.

The DSS,  while briefing  President Muhammadu Buhari, said the   release followed  negotiations  facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC.

“All  13 rescued persons are in the custody of the service and are on their way to Abuja with the assistance of the Nigerian Army and the Air Force”, a DSS source said.

In  anticipation  of their being brought to the DSS headquarters, a team of doctors and psychologists was said to have  been put  on standby. “The rescued persons may be presented to the President and thereafter released to their families  if there are no issues of security or medical concerns”, the source said.

“The President, who got step by step progress reports on the lengthy negotiations while they took place, received the good news with a lot of happiness. He commended all those who in one way or the other helped in making the release possible.

“He then urged the DSS and the Nigerian Army to intensify  efforts to bring home the  Chibok  girls still in the custody of the terrorists.

“The Director-General, Malam Lawal Daura, assured the President that they were working hard to bring home the remaining girls and, as soon as possible, bring the Chibok girls to an end”.