MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Hundreds of hostages, mostly children and women, who were held captive for months or years by Boko Haram extremists in northeastern Nigeria have been rescued from a forest enclave and handed over to authorities, the army said.
The 350 hostages had been held in the Sambisa Forest, a hideout for the extremist group which launched an insurgency in 2009, Maj. Gen. Ken Chigbu, a senior Nigerian army officer, said late Monday while presenting them to authorities in Borno, where the forest is.
The 209 children, 135 women and six men appeared exhausted in their worn-out clothes. Some of the girls had babies believed to have been born from forced marriages, as is often the case with female victims who are either raped or forced to marry the militants while in captivity.
One of the hostages had seven children and spoke of how she and others couldn’t escape because of their children.
Proposed $2.77 billion settlement clears first step of NCAA approval with no change to finance plan
Israel launches night raid on Gaza al
Taiwan's strongest earthquake in 25 years kills 9 people, 50 missing
Pogacar extends Giro lead to over 7 minutes after winning altered Stage 16 amid protests at start
Canada's Trudeau says he often mulls quitting his 'crazy job' but will stay on
Viable but risky: Former Whakapapa ski field bidder
Who is Mohammad Mustafa, the new Palestinian PM?
Elvis' granddaughter Riley Keough fights Graceland estate auction
Coach speaks on car chase, gun shots after Hawke's Bay rugby game
Emma Hayes' first roster as coach of the US women's team includes 2 first
AUKUS Pillar Two: Defence Minister Judith Collins meets with top US military contractor