Troops of Operation Hadin Kai North East, have rescued another Chibok Girl, Saratu Dauda, who was on Monday handed over to Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony in Maiduguri, the Theatre Commander, Maj. Gen. I.S Ali, said Saratu who is 25 years old was rescued by troops in Sambisa Forest on May 6, 2023 in the ongoing Operation Desert/Lake Sanity 2.
Ali said Saratu who is a native of Mbalala in Chibok LGA is listed in serial number 10 of Chibok girl abducted by Boko Haram in 2014.
He said she was married to one Abu Yusuf and later to one Bana, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) expert with whom she had three children which she left behind during escape.
The commander said Saratu who spent 10 days under the Army care had undergone extensive medical care.
“As at today out of the 276 Chibok Girls, 57 girls escaped in 2014, 107 girls released in 2018, three were released in 2019, two in 2021, 11 girls were rescued in 2022 and three are so far rescued in 2023.
“This bring to a total of 183 Chibok school girls out of captivity remaining 93 still unaccounted for,” the general said.
While commending the support of Mr President and Commander in Chief, Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chief to troops, the Theatre Commander reiterated the commitment of the military to continue to sustain the tempo in ensuring the return of normalcy in North East.
In her remarks, the Borno Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, lauded the military for the successes being recorded, particularly is rescuing the Chibok girls and others in captivity.
Gambo said her ministry who now have 17 rescued girl would continue to cater for them in areas of health, psychosocial support and skills acquisition among others.
“We are going to arrange how Saratu will meet her parents as well as provide her and others with some skills acquisition training among others .”
The Commissioner said that the Chibok girls under the state Goverment care are made to feel at home at the care centre where the even cook thier food.
In an interview with journalists, excited Saratu who narrated how she escaped from Sambisa, said she felt home sick and was eager to reunite with her parents.
Highlights of the occasion include the presentation of Saratu with an undisclosed amount of money by the Theatre Commander.
