A MOTHER and her three children deported from Fremantle are rebuilding their lives after a “traumatic” journey back to terror-torn Nigeria.

Highly educated Jane Ekeng, who had lived in Freo for seven years on a student visa, had her application for a protection visa refused by the Turnbull government in November and she was forced to return with her children to a region targeted by ISIS-aligned Boko Haram.

Since our December story about the family’s plight we have been inundated with letters from readers asking about the family’s well-being.

Fremantle refugee network advocate Leonie Lundy says she’d been concerned after not hearing from Ms Ekeng, a practising Christian, for several weeks, but she’s relieved to report she’s recently been in touch.

“We can confirm they arrived safely in Nigeria after a rather traumatic journey,” Ms Lundy says.

• School friends and parents gather to support Jane Ekeng and her children, who were deported to Nigeria before Christmas. File photo

“Things in Nigeria continue to be very precarious and it hasn’t been easy.

“The two younger children, Esther and Daniel, are now enrolled in the second term of primary school but missing their friends from Fremantle primary school.

“Former Melville senior high school student, Cecy achieved an 87 per cent Atar score and is hoping to obtain a scholarship to attend university — even if in Canada or the UK.

“Jane is attempting to find suitable work and stay strong. The Ekeng family thank members of the Fremantle primary school and community for their support and concern.”

This week Cameroon closed most of its northern markets on its border with Nigeria after a Boko Haram attack left 35 people dead and 70 wounded in the town of Bodo.

Ms Ekeng, who completed a masters of business at Notre Dame University, is from Abuja, 300km from Chibok, where Boko Haram kidnapped 300 schoolgirls.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK