TheCable

The Nigerian Army says its troops have rescued Saratu Dauda, one of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, in Borno. 

On April 14, 2014, 276 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok town, Borno.

Many of the girls have since been rescued while some remain in captivity.

Earlier in the month, TheCable reported how the army rescued one of the schoolgirls identified as Esther Marcus with serial number 103 on the list of missing victims.

Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, Ibrahim Ali, theatre commander of the north-east joint Operation Hadin Kai, said Dauda was rescued after escaping from Boko Haram’s Ukuba captivity in the Sambisa forest.

Ali said the ground troops took custody of the 25-year-old Dauda on May 6, 2023.

While handing her over to Zuwaira Gambo, the Borno commissioner for women affairs and social development, on Monday in Maiduguri, Ali said Dauda was married off to one Abu Yusuf, a Boko Haram improvised explosive devices (IED) expert.

Ali added that the kidnapped victim had three children with her terrorist husband but left them behind while escaping from the forest.

The military commander said efforts were ongoing to rescue Dauda’s children from her husband, adding that she has been taken to the Maimalari military hospital for intensive care.

“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,” Ali was quoted to have said. 

Ali said 76 Chibok schoolgirls have so far escaped while 107 were released by Boko Haram in 2018 out of 276 abducted on April 14, 2014.

He noted that 186 school girls were rescued by the army, while 93 abductees were still in captivity with the terrorists.

He added that between 2019 and 2023, the troops rescued 19 Chibok schoolgirls, including 11 last year.

However, Gambo told newsmen that Dauda would be sponsored by the Borno government to complete her secondary and university education in the state.

The commissioner added that she would be taken to a rehabilitation centre in Maiduguri to join others who are currently undergoing training to become self-reliant and be useful to society.