Two Boys Escape Boko Haram After Five Years Return Home Safely

Two young boys who were taken by Boko Haram during a deadly raid on Mandaragrau village in Borno State have escaped captivity after five years and have now been reunited with their families.

The boys, identified as Ayuba Ishaku and Yakubu Haruna, both around 13 years old, arrived at the divisional police headquarters in Maiduguri on July 12, according to the Borno State Police Command. Their return marks a rare moment of hope in a region where thousands remain missing or unaccounted for due to the ongoing insurgency.

They were abducted in 2019 alongside women and children during an attack on their village in Biu Local Government Area. Since then, they lived under the control of the terror group, forced into domestic labor and trained to handle firearms. Their ordeal included years of hardship, fear, and indoctrination.

The boys managed to break free on July 8, slipping away from a Boko Haram hideout while many of the militants were away on an operation. Navigating the wilderness with limited knowledge and no help, they moved through a series of villages, eventually reaching Maiduguri four days later.

Police confirmed that the minors were brought into the station safely and, after brief questioning and verification, were reunited with their families. Their return brought emotional scenes as relatives received them after years of uncertainty.

The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, praised their bravery and endurance. He urged residents to remain alert and assist security forces by reporting suspicious activities promptly.

As the state continues to recover from the impact of insurgency, the escape and return of Ayuba and Yakubu have offered a glimpse of resilience and the unbroken will to be free, even in the harshest conditions. Authorities are now working to ensure the boys receive proper psychological care and reintegration support.