Borno government receives a rescued Chibok girl and 330 others from the military. Get insights into their next steps and support measures.
On Tuesday, the Borno State Governor received from the military a saved Chibok girl along with 330 others, comprising both women and children who were kidnapped by Boko Haram.
Captain Reuben Kovangiya, the acting Deputy Director at Army Public Relations Headquarters Theatre Command, disclosed this information in an official statement.
“On Monday, 22nd July 2024, Major General Waidi Shaibu – the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force in North-East Operation Hadin Kai shared another success story in defeating terrorism and insurgency. He proudly announced that Ihyi Abdu, a rescued Chibok girl was handed over to Borno State government.”
During a briefing at the Headquarters, Theater Command located in Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, Shaibu stated that the state believes successful military operations throughout the theater are necessary to fulfill OPHK’s objective of reinstating stability in North-Eastern Nigeria. This is crucial for socio-economic activities to prosper.
He stated that the ongoing captivity of the remaining Chibok girls prompted military operations in order to free them from terrorist hideouts. He assured that OPHK would diligently work towards their safe return, adhering to strategic directives given by Gen. Christopher Musa and Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, respectively serving as Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff.
During the offensive operations carried out within Sambisa Forest in June 2024, troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade Bama successfully rescued Ihyi and her two children. Brigadier General Abubakar Haruna, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army as well as Commander Sector 1 OPHK provided further details regarding this rescue operation.
According to Haruna, Ihyi is a 27-year-old Kibaku tribesman from Kubur-Mbula village located in the Chibok Local Government Area.
According to him, she got married to a man named Abu Darda from Gwoza town in Plateau State while held captive in 2014 and he later moved to Senegal.
Ihyi and her children have undergone thorough medical examinations since being rescued, as reported by the GOC.
In a similar manner, the Borno State government received 330 women and children who were rescued by OPHK troops.
In the process of transferring authority, Navy Captain Mohammed Abdullahi, Chief J9 overseeing Civil Military Affairs on behalf of the Theatre Commander announced that their successful rescue mission could be attributed to ongoing wet season operations in the theatre.
According to him, the successful rescue indicated that utilizing a logistics strangulation approach during operations was effective.
The Borno State Government was appreciated for its significant contribution to the non-kinetic aspects of the operations.
On behalf of the Borno State government, Mrs. Aishatu Shettima, Director of Social Welfare representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development welcomed a total of 331 individuals rescued by military personnel including one Chibok schoolgirl. She expressed gratitude to the soldiers for their attentiveness in rescuing these women and children.
