Borno School Abduction: 14 More Female Students Escape from Captivity

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, April 18th, 2014

By Ayo Balogun

No fewer that 14 students have again escaped from their Boko Haram abductors and have since been reunited with their families, the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Musa Kubo has confirmed.

Kubo said 12 of the girls were found in the forest near Chibok Town where Boko Haram abducted them on Monday Night while soldiers found two other girls while they were wandering in the forest.

The total number of students that have been accounted for is now 44 abducted.

Kubo statements further reads: “I am glad to say that 14 more students have escaped from their abductors. Out of this number, three are currently with me at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, the scene of the unfortunate abduction; while my governor, Kashim Shettima, has confirmed to me today that 11 girls have escaped to a town along Damboa/Biu road in Borno State after they escaped from captivity.

“The 11 ladies were immediately moved from the location to other parts of the state to reconnect with their families. The remaining 33 students in Chibok have also been moved out of the school to different parts of the state to join their families. The steps were taken to safeguard them,”

“You may wish to recall that as at Thursday, we had 30 students returned. Out of that number, 14 escaped from their abductors while 16 students where returned by their parents and guardians after they ran home on the day of the attack,”

“You may also remember what I said yesterday that we had made announcements and called on parents whose children and wards ran home to return them to the school so we could take proper account of our 129 students to know the number of those missing.

“We are hopefully expecting the return of our 85 students as intensive search and rescue efforts continue. I must acknowledge the combined efforts of the security agencies and civilian volunteers for the intensive search, which may have piled up pressure on abductors and possibly contributing to the escape of 28 students from captivity. We continually pray that all our students return in good health as well as all the security agents and volunteers safely return.”

“We are indeed grateful for the patriotic efforts being displayed by all those involved in the search and rescue operations. We are also very grateful to all Nigerians, institutions and governments within and outside our country for their unflinching support that has remained indelible to us in the education sector of Borno State.

“We once again call on parents and all sympathizers to remain prayerful and hopeful that by the grace of God all the students will safely return to school.”