Two boys, aged 13 and 12, who were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists three years ago in Borno State, have escaped captivity and returned safely to Maiduguri.
The boys, Ayuba Ishaku and Yakubu Haruna, both natives of Mandaragrau village in Biu Local Government Area, arrived at the Ite Divisional Police Headquarters around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12, where they narrated their ordeal and dramatic escape.
According to a post on Monday by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X, the boys were kidnapped along with their parents from their village.
While their parents were later released by the roadside, deemed too weak to continue the journey, the boys were taken deeper into the terrorist-controlled territory.
They were transported, along with seven unknown adult captives to a Boko Haram hideout in Mangari, Tumbun Mota, an area in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area.
The seven adults were reportedly trained, armed, and deployed in combat operations by fighters affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP.
The boys revealed they were used as domestic servants and were trained to service firearms, although they were not involved in actual combat.
After secretly planning their escape for months, they found an opportunity on July 10, when most of the terrorists had gone on an operation and the remaining guards were asleep. Seizing the moment, the boys fled through the bush and eventually made it to a nearby village before arriving in Maiduguri at about 4:45 p.m. on July 12.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the development and said the boys have been thoroughly debriefed. Efforts are underway to reunite them with their families under the Borno State Model, a government-supported rehabilitation and reintegration programme for victims of insurgency.
