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.
US Open champ Coco Gauff urges young Americans to vote
French Open: Chen/Jia fight back to win women's doubles title
Tourism sector sees boom during May Day holiday
Hush money trial: Trump witness Costello back on the stand after admonishment
California is joining with a New Jersey company to buy a generic opioid overdose reversal drug
China's travel boom buoys global expectations
China awards medals to Shenzhou
Progressive prosecutor in Portland, Oregon, seeks to fend off tough
CBA playoffs: Liaoning sweep Shenzhen to reach semis