Borno Police Reunite Two Boys Abducted by Boko Haram After Years in Captivity

The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the reunion of two minors, Ayuba Ishaku and Yakubu Haruna, both aged 13, with their families after years in Boko Haram captivity. The boys were abducted from Mandaragrau village in Biu Local Government Area during an insurgent attack in 2021.

The minors managed to escape from a Boko Haram hideout in Mangari-Tumbun Mota, Kukawa Local Government Area, where they had been held for over three years. The boys hid in the bush until the insurgents left their base, then trekked for several days through dangerous terrain to reach safety.

They arrived in Maiduguri on July 12, 2025, and immediately reported to the Ite Division of the Borno State Police Command. After initial debriefing, the police facilitated their reunion with family members under the supervision of state security officials.

Speaking to reporters, the police confirmed the boys shared harrowing accounts of their time in captivity, including being forced to perform domestic tasks and maintain weapons. The children stated they were not trained as fighters but were subjected to strict surveillance during their time in the insurgents’ camp.

A police spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, said the minors were given medical attention and psychological support before being released to their parents.

The Borno State Government and security agencies praised the boys for their courage and resilience. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing counter-insurgency efforts and the safe return of all abducted persons still in captivity.

Boko Haram and ISWAP factions have been responsible for mass kidnappings and abductions in northeastern Nigeria for over a decade, leaving thousands of families displaced or separated from loved ones.