Army Rescues More Chibok Girls With Their Babies, 2 Aid Workers
The Nigerian Army has rescued two more Chibok schoolgirls, Esther Marcus and Hauwa Maltha, from captivity
They were rescued by troops of the 114 Task Force Battalion Bitta on Thursday in Lagara during operations in the Sambisa forest.
Esther Marcus, 26, was held captive and forcibly married to two different Boko Haram fighters before her rescue. Hauwa Maltha, also 26, was about 8 months pregnant when she was rescued and delivered a baby boy on April 28.
The two women and their children underwent medical evaluation and adequate resuscitation before they were handed over to the Borno State Government for further administration.
The commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Ali, stated that the Nigerian Army has been carrying out a series of operations to achieve the National Security Mandate of the Federal Government.
The Army employed both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in the actualization of the mandate, which has yielded positive results.
Since the beginning of the operations, troops have rescued 14 Chibok schoolgirls, among other victims.
Ali emphasized that the Army would continue to strive to rid the North-East of terrorism and rescue all kidnapped and abducted victims of terrorism in line with the directives of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari.
The rescued victims will be handed over to the appropriate authorities after undergoing medical evaluation and treatment at the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.
Major General Christopher Musa, commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has also confirmed the rescue of Hauwa Usman and her newborn baby on Sunday.
Hauwa, a nursing mother, was abducted alongside her husband from their home in Yobe State. Her husband was reportedly killed in the attack.
Usman was rescued by troops on Sunday while undergoing a thorough medical examination alongside her baby at 7 Division Medical Hospital and Services and will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further administration.
Musa used the opportunity to assure the public, particularly the people in the North-East, that OPHK will continue to strive to neutralise all terrorist elements and criminals marauding the area, ensuring lasting peace.
He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Defense Staff, General LEO Irabor, and the service chiefs for giving strategic guidance and providing operational platforms, which contributed to OPHK’s success.
Musa stated that OPHK would continue to carry out its duties professionally and maintain the confidence that the public had vested on them, ensuring peace and normalcy was restored to the North East.
On Monday, the Nigerian army released several pictures of hundreds of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters from rival factions surrendering to troops, mainly around Lake Chad and the Sambisa Forest.
The photo release and counter-terrorism successes by the Nigerian Army, however, come amidst increasing reports of kidnappings and attacks in several regions across the country.
