Niger State authorities have dismissed claims that 35 women and children rescued from Boko Haram captivity are being held in detention, emphasizing their placement in state-supported protective custody instead. The rebuttal follows reports alleging poor treatment of the group, who were intercepted during a police operation targeting suspected insurgent activity in July.
According to officials, the rescue operation unfolded when the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Niger State Police Command, led by DSP Ahmed Saidu, stopped multiple vehicles along routes spanning Tegina, Madaka, Birnin Gwari, and Yauri in Kebbi State. The occupants—women and children reportedly abducted by the extremist group—were freed, while three drivers allegedly involved in transporting them were arrested.
Niger State Commissioner of Police Adamu Abdullahi Ellenman clarified the status of the survivors during a briefing with journalists in Minna, countering allegations of neglect. “These women and their children are living comfortably under protective custody, with access to mattresses, basic necessities, and government-funded meals,” he stated. Ellenman stressed that reports of inadequate care were “not true,” adding that the state prioritized the safety and well-being of the survivors as they undergo a reintegration process.
The commissioner did not specify the duration of the victims’ stay in custody but noted that authorities were providing “reorientation” to facilitate their eventual return to communities. He declined to elaborate on the nature of this support, though such programs in Nigeria often include psychosocial counseling and community reconciliation efforts for those displaced by insurgent violence.
Ellenman urged community leaders and families to avoid spreading unverified claims about the survivors’ conditions, asserting that misinformation could undermine recovery efforts. The appeal highlights ongoing challenges in regions affected by Boko Haram’s decade-long insurgency, which has displaced millions and left many victims stigmatized upon return.
While the police did not disclose details about the arrested drivers, the operation underscores continued efforts to dismantle networks aiding the extremist group. Boko Haram, designated a terrorist organization by Nigeria and international bodies, has frequently targeted civilians in kidnappings, with women and children often subjected to forced labor, conscription, or trafficking.
The incident has drawn attention to the complexities of rehabilitating survivors of extremist abductions, particularly in areas where reintegration processes face logistical and social hurdles. Nigerian authorities have faced criticism in the past over delays in releasing rescued individuals, with advocacy groups calling for transparency in handling such cases.
As of now, no timeline has been provided for the women and children’s return to their homes. Their case adds to broader discussions about accountability and support mechanisms for victims of conflict-related trauma in the region.
