The three oil explorers are lecturers from Maiduguri university, in northern Borno state, who were kidnapped while searching for oil in July past year.
The Department of State Services, DSS today briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the release, following negotiations, with the terrorists.
A team of doctors and psychologists has been placed on standby to attend to them, said the presidential statement.
According to him, the release of the lecturers was meant to distract Nigerians from issues raised in ex-Presidents, Ibrahim Babangida and Olusegun Obasanjo's statements.
THREE University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) staff abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Magumeri, Borno State, and ten women kidnapped during separate ambushes have been freed.
The presidency on Saturday announced the release of the three geologists and 10 other women who were abducted by Boko Haram fighters in July 2017.
IT said the 13 freed people were handed over to its officials by the insurgents and were later taken to Nigerian officials.
The ICRC was also involved in negotiations which led to the release of 200 kidnapped schoolgirls, in October 2016 and May 2017, who had been abducted by Boko Haram from the north-eastern town of Chibok in 2014. Happy for the families who are reunited with their loved ones after many months! "We hope that these people, too, will get to return to their families soon".
The 10 women were kidnapped in a Boko Haram raid on a military and police convoy previous year on the Damboa road near Maiduguri. "The rescued persons may be presented to the President and thereafter released to their families, if there are no issues of security or medical concerns".
He stated that the insurgents escaped their enclaves in Sambisa Forest and tried to infiltrate the community.
He said, "As a result of the ongoing clearance operations through Operation Deep Punch, some desperate Boko Haram terrorists attempted to escape through one of the blocking positions in Goniri, Yobe".
It however asked that: "Consequently, communities must remain vigilant and report odd persons or unusual movements and escapees".
12 February 2018
12 February 2018
12 February 2018
12 February 2018
12 February 2018
12 February 2018
