Local authorities in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, have announced the release of 12 girls who were kidnapped a week ago along with another young woman by an armed group.
The chairman of Askira-Uba Local Council, Abubakar Mazheini, stated that all the girls were taken to a hospital for examination and care, and their families were allowed to meet them in a remote area.
The 13 Muslim women, aged 16 to 23, had been abducted while working on their farms near a wildlife reserve used as a hideout by armed groups. One of them had been released earlier because she was caring for an infant.
The local official confirmed that no ransom was paid; the release was secured as a result of military operations that tightened pressure on the armed group and forced it to free the hostages.
