Another one of the Chibok schoolgirls escapes from Boko Haram custody after nine years

NIGERIAN Army commanders operating in the northeast of the country where Boko Haram Islamists are waging an insurgency against the government have reported the rescuing of another of the Chibok schoolgirls who was abducted nine years ago in 2014.

 

In April 14, 2014, 276 pupils from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists. Of the total number, 76 escaped, while 107 were released by Boko Haram in 2018 and between 2019 and 2023, troops rescued a further 19, including 11 last year.

 

Major General Ibrahim Ali, the theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the Nigerian Army initiative to rescue the girls, said 186 of them were rescued by the army but 93 still remain in captivity. He then revealed that Saratu Dauda, 25, was rescued by troops on May 6, at Ukuba, one of the terrorists’ hideouts in the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

 

Handing over Saratu, to Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, the Borno State commissioner of women affairs and social development yesterday in Maiduguri, General Ali, said she left behind her three children with her forced husband and fled from the Sambisa Forest. He added that efforts are ongoing to rescue the children who are in custody of the husband, one Abu Yusuf.

 

General Ali, said: “Prior to her rescue through escape, Saratu was married to Abu Yusuf, an improvised explosive devices Boko Haram expert. We thank God for rescuing Saratu Dauda, which will enable her to have a better life with her parents and other families in the Chibok community.”

 

Hajiya Zuwaira added that Saratu and her daughters will be sponsored by the state government to complete their secondary and university education. She noted that Saratu will be taken to the Bulumkutu Rehabilitation Centre in Maiduguri to join others who are currently undergoing training to become self -reliant and useful members of society.

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