June 22, (THEWILL) – Troops of the Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, have rescued two more Chibok girls in Sambisa forest.
This came eight years after Boko Haram insurgents abducted 276 female students aged 16 to 18 from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014.
THEWILL had last week reported that the two girls, Mariam Dauda and Hauwa Joseph, were rescued along with their babies in Gazuwa enclave in Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, by military troops.
While narrating their 8 years of ordeal in the forest at a press conference held at the Command-and-Control Centre, Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri on Tuesday, they revealed that they had been married off to Boko Haram Commanders for years and had babies for them.
They also disclosed that the Nigerian military had killed their husbands months ago.
While responding to questions from newsmen, Mary now Mariam said, “Yes, there are still other Chibok girls in the Sambisa Forest. They also have been married, at least more than 20 are still there.
“I was 18 years old when they abducted us and I converted to Islam, I was Christian, but they converted us to Islam and married us off.
“We thank God that we are finally out, we have suffered after our husbands were killed, life was hell for us. We sincerely thank the military for rescuing us.
“ I know him, I used to see the late Abubakar Shekau.”
On her part, Hauwa claimed she has never seen the late Shekau in person.
“I have never seen him face to face, but I used to watch him on a laptop giving instruction to the fighters”, Hauwa said.
They thanked the military for rescuing them after being held captive by Boko Haram for eight years.
Theatre Commander, Major General Christopher Musa, attributed the success due to the massive military operations in Sambisa Forest, Mandara Mountain, and the Lake Chad areas.
Musa noted that girls were rescued in Sambisa, while assuring that they won’t rest until the remaining abductees regain their freedom.
The General Officer Commanding GOC, Seven Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Waidi Shaibu, said the girls were rescued between June 12 and 14, and have received necessary medical attention, adding that they would be handed over to the appropriate authorities shortly.
Shaibu said, Hauwa Joseph was rescued with her child on the 12th of June, 2022, in Bama local government area, while Mary Dauda was rescued with her child on the 14th of June, during troops’ fighting patrol in the Division Area of Responsibility.
He said, all the girls and their children have undergone proper medical check-ups and treatment, before handing them over to the Government that would subsequently reunite them with their parents.
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