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A team of military and police have rescued a bridal train abducted by Boko Haram on Maiduguri-Damaturu highway.
The bride and her team were kidnapped by the insurgents on Friday in Mainok, on Damaturu-Maiduguri highway.
The abductees were made to drive their two vehicles into the bush and begin a long journey to destination believed to be Sambisa forest.
The bride was said to have left Maiduguri with her team for the bridegroom’s residence in Damaturu in a convoy of two vehicles.
The insurgents, who have continued to lay siege on the highway for days, commandeered the two vehicles conveying the bride and her team into the bush.
The joint team of the military and members of the Borno State Rapid Response Squad (comprising policemen, members of Civilian JTF and local hunters) pursued the insurgents.
After pursuing the insurgents through Friday night, they were able to locate the spot where the Boko Haram members were holding their captives.
The military and security team engaged them in gunfire and were able to rescue the 15 victims.
They were able to tow the vehicles initially conveying the bride back into town.
Speaking on the rescue to The PUNCH, the Borno RRS Commander, Abioye Babalola, who led his team to rescue the abductees, said they pursued the terrorist group throughout the night.
He noted that the team was led by an officer of the Nigerian Army with strong presence of soldiers, adding that his “team was on hand to offer assistance.”
He said: “After a long pursuit, we were able to get them freed, but we had to overpower the terrorist group who exchanged gunfire with us for several minutes.
“The bride and her team and two male drivers were freed. In all there were 15 persons freed,” Babalola added.