Nigerian Army has handed over a rescued Chibok girl and 330 other abducted individuals to the Borno State government on Tuesday. The rescued individuals include women and children who were held captive by the terrorist group.
The announcement was made by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the Headquarters Theatre Command. He highlighted the military’s continued success in its operations against insurgency in the North-East region of Nigeria.
Captain Kovangiya quoted Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, who stated, “In yet another remarkable achievement in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North-East theatre of operations, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Monday, 22 July 2024, handed over another rescued Chibok girl, Ihyi Abdu, to the Borno State government.”
Maj. Gen. Shaibu emphasized that ongoing military operations are critical to restoring peace in the North-East, allowing socio-economic activities to resume. He reiterated the military’s commitment to rescuing the remaining Chibok girls, noting that operations are being intensified within terrorist strongholds to secure their release.
Brig. Gen. Abubakar Haruna, the acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Sector 1 OPHK, provided further details on the rescue operation. He explained that Ihyi Abdu and her two children were rescued by troops of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade Bama during an offensive in the Sambisa Forest in June 2024. Ihyi, 27, from Kubur-Mbula village in Chibok Local Government Area, had been married to a Boko Haram member and held captive for years.
Brig. Gen. Haruna assured that Ihyi and her children have received thorough medical care since their rescue. In addition to Ihyi, 330 women and children rescued by OPHK troops were also handed over to the state government. This operation was part of the military’s wet season campaign aimed at disrupting Boko Haram’s logistics.
During the handover ceremony, Navy Captain Mohammed Abdullahi, representing the Theatre Commander, praised the successful logistics strategy that led to the rescues. He acknowledged the support of the Borno State government in non-combat efforts to combat terrorism.
