A National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) member, Halima Umar, who was kidnapped in January by Boko Haram militants, was released in a negotiated agreement.
It is thought that Nigerian journalist Ahmed Salkida midwived the agreement between the insurgents and the Nigerian military.
Although the army would not offer information of how the woman was rescued, Mr Salkida’s presence and members of civil society proposed that the rescue was not a military operation alone.
A group of safety officers led by General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Abdulmalik Biu, a brigadier general, brought the released corps member to the Borno State Deputy Governor’s office at approximately 3.30 p.m.
Mr Salkida was seen in the security officers ‘ company, a journalist who has cultivated sources among the Boko Haram.
Khaltum Rabiu, the 23-year-old founder of the Khaltum Foundation for Peace, a Maiduguri NGO, was also seen among the security authorities who went with the rescued lady to the deputy governor’s office.
Information reaching shows that both Messrs Salkida and Rabiu played active roles in the negotiation to free Ms Umar.
Briefing Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur, the general said Ms Umar was freed “through numerous cooperative attempts by the state government, security organizations, and other critical stakeholders.”
“We are here, Your Excellency, to hand her over to the Borno State Government for onward reuniting her with her family.”
He said the collaboration of efforts that led to the rescue of Ms Umar was advocated by the Nigerian military.
The deputy governor praised the army for this calling it “a job well done.”
He thanked all the security operators for making the new Borno State government’s first attempt to find a non-violent alternative to the Boko Haram dispute, “yields the desired results.”
Mr. Kadafur said Ms. Umar’s rescue had strengthened the state government’s commitment to secure the release of the remaining Boko Haram captive Chibok schoolgirls.
He said before handing her over to her family, the visibly traumatized lady would have a medical examination and trauma counseling sessions.
“We know she may have missed most parts of her NYSC programme, but the Borno State Government would do everything to ensure she gets the best supports she needs to reintegrate in the society, ” he said.
The rescued corp member who, when asked to comment, was emotional merely thanked all those who helped in her rescue.
“I thank God and the military that rescued me,” she said in tears.
Ms Umar served in the finance ministry of Borno State before she was abducted while on her trip to Gwoza, her home town.
