Nurse Escapes Boko Haram Captivity After Six Years; Another Woman Returns with Child Post-Forced Marriage

After six harrowing years in Boko Haram captivity, a brave nurse escapes, while another woman reunites with family, bringing home a child born from a forced marriage. 

Alice Loksha, a 42-year-old nurse who was abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State back in 2018, has been freed after spending six years in captivity.

During a press briefing in Maiduguri on Friday, Major General Wahdi Shuaibu, the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai in North-East Nigeria, recounted her ordeal. Maj. Gen. Kenneth Chigbu stood in for Shuaibu and revealed that Loksha was kidnapped while working at a UNICEF office located in Kala Balge.

The military also reported the escape of Fayina Ali, a woman who was kidnapped in 2020 while traveling from Kaduna to settle her late brother’s death benefits.

Reports indicate that both women were compelled to marry Boko Haram insurgents while in captivity.

Shuaibu stated, “She was compelled to marry Abu Umar and had a son named Mohammed with him. After his death, she was forced into another marriage with ISWAP Commander Abu Simak. She eventually escaped from the Dogon Chuku camp on October 24, 2024, and reached HQ TC on October 29, 2024, where she received medical care.”

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He added, “Fayina was first detained at the Kangaruwa enclave for nine months before being moved to Tumbunma, where she spent three years. She then returned to Kangaruwa for an additional year prior to her escape.”

He added that both women have faced traumatic experiences and demonstrated remarkable resilience despite the challenges.

Accepting the survivors on behalf of Borno State Government, Zuwaira Gambo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, commended the Nigerian Army for its efforts to bring peace to Borno State and the Northeast.

Gambo guaranteed that the women would receive complete support. “They will participate in psychosocial support and rehabilitation before being reunited with their families for integration,” she stated.

According to PlatinumPost, Boko Haram’s insurgency has caused extensive devastation in northeastern Nigeria and nearby countries, leading to significant displacement, humanitarian crises, and numerous deaths.

The group has frequently used abductions as a tactic, with kidnappings for ransom emerging as a major source of funding for their operations.