Armed ViolenceNews

ISWAP Frees Woman Abducted 18 Months Ago

The woman was released after 18 months in ISWAP captivity following an amnesty by the Islamic State affiliate.

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released a civil servant, Rahilatu Garba Musa, abducted in Feb. 2021 along the highway linking Damaturu and Maiduguri, the capitals of northeastern states of Yobe and Borno in Nigeria. 

Rahilatu, in her early 30s, regained her freedom on Wednesday, Sep. 14, at a time everyone in her family seemed to have forgotten about her. She had spent 18 months in captivity. 

HumAngle learnt from sources familiar with her release that her abductors did not make any demands when she was asked to go.

The woman, a civil servant based in Bauchi state but originally from Yobe state, was reportedly granted a pardon by a high ranking ISWAP member. The Islamic State affiliate operates in Nigeria and other countries bordering Lake Chad. 

She was led to the outskirts of Damasak town in northern Borno near the border with Niger republic and handed the sum of ₦5000 ($12) to aid her transport. 

“She had to find her way to the commercial bus station where she boarded a Maiduguri-bound vehicle,” said a source close to the freed woman. 

Musa was later debriefed by the Nigerian secret police, DSS,  before she was later excused to go home.  

Her release by ISWAP is linked to a practice of granting amnesty to older women that are mostly Muslims. An official of the domestic intelligence agency confirmed the development to HumAngle but wished not to make any statement to the press. 

Without any form of support or psychosocial trauma counselling, she was left to go home like many other freed abductees are. 

Summary not available.


Support Our Journalism

There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.

To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.

Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.

Donate Here

Of course, we want our exclusive stories to reach as many people as possible and would appreciate it if you republish them. We only ask that you properly attribute to HumAngle, generally including the author's name, a link to the publication and a line of acknowledgement. Contact us for enquiries or requests.

Contact Us

Abdulkareem Haruna

Abdulkareem Haruna is a Nigerian journalist currently employed as the Editor for Lake Chad at HumAngle. For over a decade, he has demonstrated a passionate commitment to reporting on the Boko Haram conflict and the crisis in the Lake Chad region of northeastern Nigeria. He is a graduate of English Language and holds a Diploma in Mass Communications. Prior to his current role, he served as an assistant editor at both Premium Times and Leadership Newspaper.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Translate »