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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Borno donates N8m, rice to 360 freed captives

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Borno state government donated 8 million naira and food items to 360 captives recently released by Boko Haram terrorists.
  • Each captive will receive 21,000 naira, but the donated food items may be insufficient, prompting a call for a barter system among the victims.
  • The state governor also announced funds for the rehabilitation of the Ngoshe community, where many of the victims were abducted.

The Borno state government has provided 8 million naira and food items to 360 individuals recently freed from Boko Haram captivity. Abba Timta, Chairman of the Gwoza local government area, confirmed the distribution of these aid packages to the victims in Pulka.

They gave us some food items to give you all. We will share it among the 372 people here. The governor gave N8 million, and each person will receive N21,000. There is food that the government brought. It will be distributed to you.

— Abba TimtaThe Chairman of Gwoza local government area confirming the aid distribution to the freed captives.

Each of the 360 captives is set to receive 21,000 naira. However, Timta noted that the donated food items, including rice and corn, might not be enough for everyone. He advised the victims to engage in a barter system to share the provisions amongst themselves. "Anyone who needs corn line up for it. Anyone who needs rice should also go line up for it. Or, if we give one person corn or rice, you can do trade by barter by sharing among yourselves," he explained.

However, it may not be enough for you all to get one bag of rice and corn each. What we will do is have anyone who needs corn line up for it. Anyone who needs rice should also go line up for it. Or, if we give one person corn or rice, you can do trade by barter by sharing among yourselves.

— Abba TimtaThe Chairman explaining the potential insufficiency of food items and suggesting a barter system.

Governor Babagana Zulum visited the victims, emphasizing the government's commitment to their rehabilitation. He announced that millions of naira have been released to rebuild the Ngoshe community, the site of the March 4, 2026, abduction. Zulum stated that approximately 434 women and children were abducted in total, with about 360 released recently and others freed in previous weeks. The governor assured that each household would receive relief materials, including food and non-food items.

We are here to felicitate with the Ngoshe community following the release of the abducted women and children numbering about 434. What we saw this morning is about 360, released two days ago. But some two to three weeks ago, we also received about other persons, totalling about 434.

— Babagana ZulumThe Borno State Governor addressing the released victims and providing details on the abduction numbers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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