Why abductees’ rescue was difficult ―Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday disclosed the reason why it was difficult to rescue University of Maiduguri staff and some women abducted by Boko Haram terrorists but had recently regained freedom, saying that their abductors were different and not based in the same place.

Speaking while playing host to the former abductees at the presidential villa, Abuja, he noted the expectation of their families for their quick return and expressed his administration’s resolve to ensure all hostages still with the terrorists are safely returned home.

He said: “While the government was fully aware of the expectations of your families and the general public for their immediate freedom, the path to your freedom was painstaking and protracted.

“This was because the groups responsible for your abduction were not only different but based in different locations that if not properly handled could result in dire consequences.”

The President stressed the efforts of the administration in rescuing them as he noted that he was personally saddened when the news of their abduction reached him.

According to him,  “This administration has been unrelenting in your rescue and freedom from your captors several months ago.

“I was terribly saddened by the incident of the abduction of June 20th last year and the brutal killing of six others on the spot along Damboa road, while heading for the burial of a close one in Askira Uba local government of Borno State.

“The second was the July 26th last year of the abduction of three university staff who were on an official mission to explore the possibility of the exploration of oil at the Lake Chad Basin.