Oyo rescue: Ndume urges military to free 79 abductees still held in Borno

 Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has
appealed to the Nigerian military and other security agencies to sustain
ongoing rescue operations in Southern Borno, urging them to focus on securing
the release of dozens of people still being held captive by kidnappers.

 

Speaking to Channels TV on Friday, after the rescue of
abducted victims from Oyo State, Senator Ndume said he had expected more
details from the military about the operation but understood that some
information relating to military operations and equipment could not be made
public.

The senator said 42 people from Mussa in Borno South
Senatorial District remain in captivity, alongside about 37 people from Lassa
who were recently abducted. He added that several victims from Moushi and
travellers kidnapped along the Buratai route were also yet to be rescued.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the military to
keep their attention on my senatorial district and help us get these people
back. The parents are traumatized, especially those from Mussa because there
are small children among them,” Ndume said.

According to him, those still in captivity include children,
students from Lassa who were preparing for their NECO examinations, and other
adults abducted in separate incidents.

Despite the security challenges, the senator expressed
confidence in the capabilities of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security
agencies.

“I have confidence in the Nigerian security agencies. All
they need is encouragement, training, equipment, aviation and motivation,” he
said.

Ndume commended the security forces for the recent rescue
operation, saying about eight suspected kidnappers were neutralized, while
others were arrested, leading to the safe rescue of the abducted children.

“The children are back safely. Those responsible for the
abduction lost about eight of their members during the operation, while some
were captured. I believe this will provide useful intelligence on their
operations and help address the security challenge,” he said.

The senator called on the military to build on the success
of the operation by intensifying efforts to secure the release of the remaining
captives in Mussa, Lassa, Muoshi and along the Buratai axis.

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