THE Borno State Police Command has confirmed the remarkable escape and safe return of two teenagers, Ayuba Ishaku and Yakubu Haruna, who were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in 2019.
The boys, now around 13 years old, were held captive for over four years before seizing a rare opportunity to flee from a terrorist camp and make their way back to safety.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the police spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, the escape occurred on July 8, 2025, when the insurgents left their camp for an operation, leaving the boys unsupervised. Taking advantage of the moment, they embarked on a dangerous journey through the bush that lasted several days.
Their ordeal came to an end on July 12, when they arrived at the ITE Divisional Police Headquarters in Maiduguri at about 5:30 pm and reported their escape from captivity.
The boys recounted being abducted during a Boko Haram raid on Mandaragrau village in Biu Local Government Area on December 29, 2019.
Following their abduction, they were relocated to a remote terrorist camp located in Mangari, Tumbun Mota, in the Baga axis of Kukawa Local Government Area.
While in captivity, the minors were reportedly used for domestic tasks and given basic training in the handling and maintenance of firearms, a disturbing detail that underscores the exploitation of child victims by insurgents.
Upon reporting to the police, they were placed in protective custody and received immediate medical and psychological care. Acting under the directive of the Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, authorities commenced efforts to trace their families.
The father of one of the boys, Mr. Ishaku Gaji, was successfully identified and confirmed his son’s identity, stating that he had been missing since the 2019 attack. The reunification process followed strict verification protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of the boys.
The Borno State Police described their escape as a “courageous act” and pledged continued investigation into the broader circumstances of their abduction and the fate of other victims still in captivity.
Authorities have not disclosed further details about other individuals abducted during the 2019 incident, but assured the public that investigations are ongoing.
