BY: NEWS EDITOR

In a remarkable turn of events, two women, Alice Loksha Ngattah and Fayina Ali, have escaped from Boko Haram captivity in Borno State after years of being held against their will.

The women were rescued by the troops of Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, North East in October and were formally handed over to the Borno State Government on November 15, 2024.

Alice Loksha, a 42-year-old nurse who worked with United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) was abducted on March 1, 2018, at Rann, Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

During her six years in captivity, she was forced to marry Abu Umar, an ISWAP commander, and gave birth to a son named Muhammad.

Alice managed to escape on October 24, 2024, through Dogon Chiku, Geidam axis in Yobe State.

Fayina Ali, on the other hand, was abducted by ISWAP terrorists on October 19, 2020, while en route to Maiduguri to process her brother's entitlements after he died in service as a corporal.

She spent four years in captivity and was married to Mohammed Sheikh in Kangarwa enclaves.

The handing over ceremony took place at Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai, Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, where Maj. Gen. Kenneth Chiboze, the Deputy Theatre Commander, praised the rescue as a significant milestone in the Joint Task Force North East's efforts to restore normalcy in the region.

Maj. Gen. Chiboze highlighted the command's commitment to facilitating peace and normalcy in the North East, enabling socio-economic activities to flourish.

He expressed gratitude to the state government for their support in combating terrorism and urged the terrorists to lay down their arms and engage in dialogue.

Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, received the rescued women on behalf of the state government and thanked the army for their exceptional work.

She assured that the women would receive mental health and psycho-social support at a rehabilitation center, followed by efforts to locate their families.

Alice Loksha, speaking on behalf of the victims, expressed her gratitude to God and the military for their support, describing their escape as a miracle.

This rescue operation brings hope to the region and highlights the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and support victims of Boko Haram's brutality.