Army rescues Chibok schoolgirl after 3 children in Boko Haram captivity

Another Chibok schoolgirl has been rescued from the Boko Haram captivity after nine years of their abduction, the Nigerian military has announced.

The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj-Gen Ibrahim Ali, who disclosed this on Monday said 25-year Saratu Dauda; was rescued by the ground troops on May 6, 2023 at Ukuba terrorists’ hideouts in the Sambisa forest, Borno state.

Saratu, the army general said was rescued after she escape from the Sambisa forest where she had been married off to Abu Yusuf, an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) Boko Haram expert”.

General Ali disclosed that Saratu left behind her three children with her forced husband and find her way out of the Sambisa forest, adding that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining Children who are in custody of the husband, Abu Yusuf.

He stated these while handling over Saratu, to the State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, yesterday, in Maiduguri.

His words: “We thanked God for rescuing Saratu Dauda. This will enable you to have a better life with your parents and other families in Chibok Community.”

While reviewing the rescue operations, General Ali said that out of the 276 abducted schoolgirls on April 14, 2014, 76 escaped, while 107 were released by Boko Haram in 2018.

He further disclosed that 186 school girls were rescued by the Army, lamenting that 93 abductees are still in captivity of the insurgents.

General Ali noted that between 2019 and 2023, the troops rescued 19 Chibok schoolgirls included 11 last year.

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Responding, Hajiya Zuwaira told journalists that Saratu and her daughters, will be sponsored by the State government to complete their secondary and University education in state.

Meantime, the Commissioner noted that, Sararu will be taken to Bulumkutu Rehabilitation Centre in Maiduguri to join others who are currently undergoing training to become self -reliant and be useful to the society, even as she prayed for God to rescue her three children peacefully.