I rolled on the floor after my husband’s release – Freed UNIMAID worker’s wife

Margaret, the wife of one of the three abducted employees of the University of Maiduguri, Haruna Dashe, who was released last week by Boko Haram, has said the news gladdens her heart.

The woman, who spoke exclusively to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, said the news initially seemed like a dream until she heard her husband’s voice.

“I jumped up and was filled with joy. I rolled on the floor in the front of our house when my brother-in-law called to ask me if I heard the news of their release,” she said.

Three UNIMAID lecturers who were on an exploration trip in the North-East were abducted by Boko Haram in July 2017.

Margaret, who sounded happy on the telephone, said it was tough for her coping without her husband.

She said, “I have spoken to him. I can confirm that he was among those released. I am happy that I will see him again after many months. His children kept asking after him to the point that I always cried when I tried to tell them that they would soon see him.
“One of them will be two years old on February 28. I am happy that he will be with us to celebrate the birthday.”

She added that the emotional pain she suffered while awaiting her husband’s return was something she would not like to recall.

"I just thank God. He alone can do this. I also thank the Federal Government and the agencies that partook in the negotiation that led to their release.
“You know the feeling you have when you spoke to someone dear to you who just went to work and you heard that he had been kidnapped. Then you wait for months, enduring the pain of loneliness, only to hear later that the person would be coming back home to you.