The Borno State Government has provided N8 million and relief materials to 360 residents recently freed from captivity by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
The Chairman of Gwoza Local Government Area, Abba Timta, confirmed the donation while addressing the beneficiaries following a visit by Governor Babagana Zulum to Pulka community.
The freed captives were among hundreds of residents, mostly women and children, abducted during a terrorist attack on Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area on March 4, 2026. According to Timta, each beneficiary will receive N21,000 from the funds provided by the state government.
He explained that food items supplied by the government, including rice and maize, would also be distributed among the victims.
“The governor released N8 million for the victims, and each person will receive N21,000. The government also brought food items which will be shared among everyone here,” Timta said.
He acknowledged that the available supplies might not be enough for every beneficiary to receive a full bag of rice or maize, urging the victims to cooperate during the distribution process. He also assured them that additional assistance would be provided if more support became available.
Timta further announced that every woman among the beneficiaries would receive a mat, while arrangements had been made for the distribution of cash, rice, sugar, maize, and other relief items.
He encouraged the victims to continue praying for peace and stability to return to their communities, enabling them to resume farming and reduce dependence on government assistance.
Sources within the camp disclosed that some victims from Askira-Uba Local Government Area, who were released alongside the Ngoshe captives, had already returned to their communities after receiving the relief materials.
Governor Zulum, during his visit, also revealed that funds had been approved for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Ngoshe community.
He stated that the government was supporting the released residents with both food and non-food items and working closely with security agencies to facilitate the safe and dignified return of those willing to resettle in Ngoshe.
“We are here to celebrate the release of the abducted women and children from Ngoshe. The government has released substantial funds for the rehabilitation of the community, and reconstruction work is nearing completion,” the governor said.
He added that discussions were ongoing with community leaders and the Nigerian military to establish measures that would guarantee the safety of returning residents.
Meanwhile, the Ngoshe Stakeholders Forum has dismissed claims circulating in some quarters that only Muslim captives were released while Christian abductees remained in captivity.
Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri, the chairman of the forum, Suleiman Bello, clarified that the freed captives included both Christians and Muslims abducted from the community.
“There is no religious distinction among those who were released. The individuals we met after their release included both Muslims and Christians,” Bello said.
He noted that efforts were ongoing to identify and trace other residents who may still be in captivity and assured the public that updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
The forum commended the Federal Government, the Borno State Government, security agencies, and other stakeholders for their roles in securing the release of the captives. It also called for the accelerated completion of reconstruction projects aimed at restoring normal life in the Ngoshe community.
