AT LEAST 68 of the estimated 187 people the rebels in Sierra Leone have released are pregnant and suckling females. Among the 187 are 111 children between the ages of 11 and 17, they abducted in January. The children, who were freed last week, were part of an estimated 3500 minors kidnapped by rebels, when they invaded the capital Freetown in January. They were held at the northern jungle base of Magbeni, about 60 kilometres from the Sierra Leonean capital of Freetown. Ecomog spokesman Lt-Colonel Chris Olukolade said the stories told by the children range from gang-rape, and enslavement, to being forced to carry guns and looted items for long distances.