Maj-Gen Ibrahim Ali, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, announced the rescue of another Chibok schoolgirl, Saratu Dauda, who had left her three children with the insurgents in Borno State’s Sambisa Forest.
This came just a few days after her two classmates, Esther Marcus and Hauwa Maltha, escaped and were apprehended by the Nigerian Army and delivered to the Borno State government.
On Monday, Ali told Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zuwaira Gambo, that Saratu was rescued by troops on an operation in the Ukuba area of Sambisa Forest.
Saratu, 25, who is serial number 10 on the list of abducted Chibok schoolgirls, he said, was abducted.
a native of Umbulala in Borno State’s Chibok LGA.
“She was previously married to Abu Yusuf, whom she later divorced, before marrying Baana, also known as Abu…., all Boko Haram terrorists.”
“Saratu has three daughters, whom she abandoned in terrorist hideouts.” Efforts to save her children, as well as other women and children, are still ongoing.
“Saratu has been receiving medical care at the 7 Division Medical Hospital in Maimalari Cantonment for the past 10 days, and we will officially hand her over to officials from the Borno State government’s Ministry of Women Affairs today.”
“As of today, statistics on the 276 abducted Chibok schoolgirls show that 57 girls escaped in 2014, and 107 girls were released in 2015.”
“Three were recovered in 2018, two were recovered in 2019, two were recovered in 2021, 11 were rescued in 2022, and three have been recovered so far in 2023,” he said.
Ali stated that a total of 183 Chibok girls had been released, while 93 remained missing.
Saratu told reporters in an interview,
“I approached my husband and asked if I could go to my parents and relieve them of all their worries, but he said Saratu, I cannot make that decision.” You are aware of the situation we are in, and this will land me in hot water.
“I also pleaded with him that if I leave, he would let me take my three children with me, but he refused.”
So I insisted that I wouldn’t leave my toddler behind no matter what because it would be difficult for me to live without her, and he agreed.
“After a while, Malam Ahmad, the guardian we were entrusted with when we arrived at Sambisa Forest, came over and told me that he was aware of my escape plan.” He advised me not to do so, and if I needed anything, he would assist me.
“When I realized this, I concealed my plan and assured him that I would heed his words.” Later, I told my husband that I was not going to back down. “I left the children in his room and fled the insurgent’s den,” she explained.
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