Red Cross: Our role in the release of abducted UNIMAID lecturers, policewomen

Red Cross: Our role in the release of abducted UNIMAID lecturers, policewomen

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has confirmed facilitating the handover of the three lecturers of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and 10 women from Boko Haram insurgents to security operatives.

While The women were abducted along Damboa Road when their convoy was carrying the body of a dead police personnel home for burial, the university lecturers were abducted while conducting oil prospective in the Lake Chad area.

The kidnap took place in Borno state.
ICRC in a statement on Saturday by Patrick Youssef, deputy regional director for Africa said it was contacted to play the role.

“We are so pleased that these 13 people are free and will be able to see their families again."

“The ICRC was not involved in any negotiations that led to the handover of the 13 people. The armed opposition handed the 13 people over to ICRC representatives who transported them to Nigerian authorities.”

“This action was similar to what the ICRC did in October 2016 and May 2017, when we transported the released Chibok girls to Nigerian officials,” Youssef said.

“There are many people missing or being held against their will due to the conflict. This creates untold trauma and suffering, including for families across the Lake Chad region who must live with the daily uncertainty and anguish of not knowing the fate or whereabouts of their loved ones.

We hope that these people, too, will get to return to their families soon.”
The ICRC remains ready to provide similar humanitarian services in the future when asked by relevant parties to the conflict”.