• Girls married off to B’Haram’s cameraman, fighters – TC
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Military troops in counter-terrorism operation in the northeast, have rescued another two Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram at a public school nine years ago.
Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force Northeast, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali disclosed this Thursday at a briefing with journalists in Maiduguri
The commander said Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus were rescued by the operation’s special Task Force troops around Bita, southeastern part of Borno on April 21.
“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have yet again rescued two other Chibok School girls on 21st April 2023,” the TC disclosed.
Both Hauwa and Esther were among the 276 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram at Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, southern Borno on 14th April 2014.
The incident regarded as the first mass abduction in school in Nigeria, drew national and international condemnations.
According to the commander, recent rescue of Esther Marcus and Hauwa Maltha brought too 13 the total number of Chibokgirls so far freed by the military in the northeast.
“The girls rescued so far include; Aisha Grema serial number 11 on the abducted Chibok girls list, Hannatu Musa number 7 on the list, and Sera Luka number 38 on the list,” he explained.
Others include Ruth Bitrus; serial 41, Mary Dauda; serial 46, Hauwa Joseph; serial 18, Falmata Lawan serial number 3, Asabe Ali; serial number 12, Jankai Yamal; serial number 20, Yana Pogu serial number 19, Rejoice Sanki; serial number 70 and Hassana Adamu on serial number 35 of the 2014 abducted schoolgirls’ lists.
Esther and Hauwa were both teenagers when they were abducted but now 26 with babies.
The military said Esther was forcefully married to a Boko Haram fighter while Hauwa was given to a Camera handler of Abubakar Shekau, slain leader of the terror group.
He commended troops for their resilience and lauded supports of the service chiefs in achieving success in the operation.