Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri
The wife and daughter of Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Umar Ibn Kyari El-Kanemi, abducted by Boko Haram about two years ago during the capture of the town yesterday regained their freedom.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Victor Ezugwu, was said to have brought the queen and her daughter to the Shehu of Bama’s abode in Maiduguri at about 1:30p.m.
The release of the two, was greeted with wide jubilation by members of the royal family as some of those present at the Shehu’s abode when they were brought could not resist shedding tears of joy.
The now freed Queen Hajju was abducted along with two of her children, a boy and a girl when the town fell to the insurgents two years ago.
She however lost her son during the captivity in the hands of the insurgents.
It was learnt that Nigerian troops rescued her and her daughter during their operations around Damboa axis.
A source at the Maiduguri residence of the paramount ruler who did not want his name in print, told THISDAY that the king could not hold back tears of joy on sighting the queen and his daughter.
The source said: “We are happy to see our queen and her daughter back, but it is unfortunately to learn that Boko Haram killed her son who was kidnapped along with her.”
Meanwhile some residents of Maiduguri have started trooping to the abode of the ruler who was forced to relocate from Bama when the town fell to the insurgents about two years ago.
Among the early callers at the residence include the Borno State Deputy Governor, Usman Durkwa and the wife of Borno State Governor, Hajiya Nana Shettima.
