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| Abraham Amuta, Corps member who joined Boko Haram |
A former National Youth Service Corp(NYSC) member posted to Borno State, Abraham Amuta, who was abducted by Boko Haram last year, has opted to remain with his insurgents after a meeting with negotiators for his release.
Amuta, a batch B 2019 corps member who was serving in the Borno State Council for Arts and Culture was abducted with a Living Faith Church Pastor Moses Oyeleke by the Abubakar Shekau’s faction of Boko Haram on April 10, 2019 during a humanitarian trip to Chibok along Maiduguri-Gwoza.
Though Pastor Oyeleke has since regained his freedom through the Church negotiation with the aid of Kaltum Foundation since November 11, securing the freedom of Amuta was however delayed as the insurgents were said to have kept him back for further negotiations.
But what however shocked the negotiators was the decision of the Benue- born young man to stay back with the insurgents rather than “return to Nigeria”.
One of the local negotiators, Uumi Kalthum Rabiu, who is also the Chairperson, Kalthum Foundation for Peace (KFP), a local NGO based in Maiduguri, said she was shocked at the decision of Amuta to remain with Boko Haram.
“I was shocked. I have never seen something like this since I started negotiations.
“The young man did not appear to be under stress but calm when he turned down the offer to be released.
“He said as the Living Faith Church sent him and Pastor Moses to go and deliver some relief items but were kidnapped, he has chosen to stay with Boko Haram to also be doing humanitarian work with the insurgents since that was what he was initially sent to do at Chibok,” Uumi, disclosed.
Uumi also narrated that the insurgents had warned him and Stella not to go out and malign their image but speak the truth about their work before given the opportunity to speak.
According to her, it was at that point that Amuta made his decision public.
“After they gave their speech and warnings, they opened the floor for both of them to speak at least before leaving the bush.
“Then Abraham said he has something to say. He thanked Living Faith for striving to ensure his release but that he has chosen to stay and serve God with the insurgents,” Uumi narrated.
Uumi’s narrative has also been confirmed in a video released by the insurgents.
Amuta, who spoke in English and Hausa languages in the video transcript, said : “I have chosen not to go back to Nigeria. I have taken decision not to go back to Nigeria.
“I thank the Living Faith Church and everybody showing concern for my release. I am not a boy. I have been to school and I know the decision I have made”.
It was gathered that negotiation was facilitated by the Borno state government in collaboration with Kalthum Foundation with negotiators and security operatives, including a friend of Abraham, who went along for proper identification.
