Abducted Borno women reportedly escape from Boko Haram

63 women out of 70 women who were reported to have been abducted by Boko Haram men in Borno state between June 12th - June 14th have regained their freedom. Reports by government sources as well as members of the Borno state vigilante group confirmed their escape.

An official of the Borno state vigilante group, Abbas Gava while confirming the escape to journalists in Borno, said the women made the bold move to escape on Saturday July 5th while the sect men were attacking a military base in Damboa.

"I have just received an alert from my colleagues in Damboa area that about 63 of the abducted women and girls had made it back home. They took the bold step when their abductors moved out to carry out an operation. We don’t have the details of their escape yet, but we believe God gave them the opportunity at the time the insurgents came in their large numbers to attack Damboa where about 12 soldiers, five policemen, over 50 Boko Haram members and unspecified number of civilians were killed yesterday (Saturday).”he said. Mr. Gava also said five women and two girls are currently still with the sect men, adding that one of the women is said to be a nursing mother.

A security official who also spoke with Premium Times anonymously confirmed the escape of the women

"There is no doubt about your report; the women and girls were able to escape. I guess it was during the time the gunmen were attacking Damboa,  left behind just some few men to watch over the women, but the women took advantage of an opportunity when the guys were dozing off, and bolted away but quietly" the source said. The source also added that some of the escaped women found themselves on the border towns between Adamawa and Borno state and have been taken into custody by the soldiers there. Some others who knew the terrain of the bushes were able to find their way home.

The Borno state government has not made any official statement on this.