Borno: Chibok girls escape from Boko Haram captivity

An unconfirmed number of abducted Government Secondary School Chibok girls have escaped from Boko Haram captivity in Borno.

April 14, 2014, kidnapped girls, regained their freedom following Thursday’s military aerial and ground operations in Sambisa forest.

The over a decade long insurgency has claimed 40,000 lives with property worth N3.42 trillion in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. 276 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted in 2014 and of this number, 107 have returned, 82 were released after negotiations with Boko Haram, while 122 continue to remain in captivity; until yesterday’s escape from the forest.

Confirming the escape yesterday in Maiduguri, Malam Madu Mutta, a parent disclosed that the girls escaped yesterday following attacks on some Boko Haram hideouts in the forest, west of Chibok town. He said parents of the escaped girls, including Chibok residents were thrown into jubilation, lauding the Army over yesterday’s counter-terrorism operations in forest.

He said that among the escapees is Halima Ali, who was reported to have been married to a Boko Haram commander. The Secretary, Chibok Parents Association (CBPA), Lawal Zanna said that some of the girls had escaped but they were yet to ascertain their number.