Three hundred and sixty people are home after being rescued from the Mandara Mountains, a remote stretch of terrain in southern Borno State long known as a hideout for terrorist groups. Their return is a relief, but it has come with questions.
The Borno State Government is pushing back on claims that a ransom was paid to secure the release. Officials have flatly denied that any payment changed hands in the process, though the government has not detailed how exactly the rescue was carried out.
The Mandara Mountains have been a persistent concern for security forces in the region, making any large-scale release from that area significant news. With 360 lives now out of that stronghold, the story of how it actually happened is the one everyone still wants to hear.
Originally published by AllAfrica.