TheCable

Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, has confirmed the return of Ruth Nglari Apagu, a Chibok girl who had been in captivity for seven years.

Over 200 schoolgirls, on April 14, 2014, were abducted when Boko Haram attacked Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok.

Most of the girls were preparing for their secondary school final examinations.

At least 103 have so far been rescued in the last seven years.

Isa Gusau, Zulum’s spokesman, said the governor received Ruth at the Government House on Saturday where she reunited with her parents.

He said Ruth was married to a Boko Haram fighter and returned with two children she had while in captivity.

The Chibok girl and her husband had surrendered to Nigerian troops on July 28 at a location in Bama, Borno state.

Following their surrender, security and government officials initiated contact with her parents to confirm her identity.

The governor said the return of Ruth should rekindle the hope of parents and other family members of Chibok girls still in captivity.

He said Ruth will undergo a rehabilitation and reintegration programme that will focus on her health, psychosocial wellbeing, and her future goals.

Zulum commiserated with families of those still in captivity and urged them to remain optimistic and prayerful.

He said: “I am extremely excited both as Borno’s governor and father of all sons and daughters of the state and also as a father to daughters.

“I know the feeling of families of those still under captivity but we have to remain hopeful especially with today’s development.”

Yakubu Nkeki, chairman of the Chibok Girls Movement, said the people of Chibok appreciate the efforts of security operatives in rescuing their daughters.

In January, Hauwa Halim Maiyanga, one of the abducted schoolgirls, was also rescued.

The abduction of the girls in 2014 was followed by a global outcry that birthed the #BringBackOurGirls Movement.

The federal government says it has continued with its efforts to rescue the remaining girls.