Hundreds of hostages, mostly women and children, are rescued from Boko Haram extremists in Nigeria
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.
Related articles
- CAIRO (AP) — The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed on Tuesday they shot down an American dr2024-05-22
North Korean leader Kim supervises latest test of new multiple rocket launcher
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised another test firing of a new mu2024-05-22All aboard the Rita Ora show! Singer is showered with kisses by husband Taika Waititi
Rita Ora's husband Taika Waititi has become her biggest supporting act despite his own personal succ2024-05-22Revealed: King Charles met David Beckham privately while Prince Harry was in Britain
King Charles met David Beckham to discuss his charitable foundation while Prince Harry was in the co2024-05-22Cristiano Ronaldo to lead Portugal into record sixth European Championship
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make a record sixth appearance at the European C2024-05-22Korda shoots 66 to keep bid alive for 6th straight LPGA Tour win. She trails Zhang, Sagstom by 4
CLIFTON, N.J. (AP) — Nelly Korda has no intention of letting anyone run away with the Cognizant Foun2024-05-22
atest comment