Chibok Schoolgirl Freed After Decade in Boko Haram Captivity
In a remarkable rescue operation, the Nigerian army has successfully rescued a Chibok schoolgirl who was abducted by the notorious militant Islamic group Boko Haram ten years ago. This uplifting news brings hope and relief to the community and highlights the ongoing efforts to secure the release of all missing girls.
The Nigerian army has announced that they successfully rescued Lydia Simon, one of the missing Chibok schoolgirls who was kidnapped by Boko Haram ten years ago. Lydia, who was five months pregnant at the time, was found along with her three children during a military operation in northern Borno State.
The military has not provided details on the recent rescue of the abducted schoolgirls by Boko Haram. CNN has reached out to the military for further information.
Out of the 276 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014, over 100 have been rescued. Amnesty International reports that the whereabouts of more than 80 girls are still unknown.
The abduction of 276 girls in 2014 led to the #BringBackOurGirls social media campaign, urging for their safe return and increased government efforts to safeguard girls' education.
Yana Galan, mother of kidnapped Chibok Girl, seated and holding a picture of her daughter Rifkat Yana Galang holds a picture of her daughter Rifkat, one of the 276 schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Book Hiram in April 2014.
Yana Galan, the mother of the kidnapped Chibok Girl, is sitting down while holding a picture of her daughter Rifkat. Yana Galang is holding a photo of her daughter Rifkat, who is one of the 276 schoolgirls that were taken by Boko Haram in April 2014.
Related card
How the Chibok abductions continue to cast a long shadow over girls’ education in Nigeria
Boko Haram has been fighting a 15-year insurgency in northern Nigeria with the goal of implementing Islamic law, also known as Sharia. Despite kidnapping thousands of people, the abduction of the Chibok girls stands out as one of the group's most well-known attacks on schools.
The Nigerian army recently announced the rescue of another Chibok student, just a day after successfully taking over a Boko Haram/ISWAP stronghold in Borno State. This operation involved air raids and ground combat in the Sambisa forest, which has been a hideout for extremist groups for many years.
A decade after the Chibok kidnapping, survivors are sharing their stories.
Survivors of the Chibok kidnapping spoke to CNN about their traumatic time in captivity marking the 10th anniversary of their abduction. One survivor, Amina Ali, 27, was forced into marriage with a Boko Haram member and spent two years in captivity before managing to escape. She is now focused on studying and building a better future for herself and her 8-year-old daughter. Sadly, her daughter has faced stigma and been called a “child of Boko Haram.”
Hannatu Stephen, 26, a survivor who was released in 2017, had her leg amputated during a Nigerian military airstrike on a Boko Haram hideout. She tragically lost six friends in the bombing.
Hauwa Ishaya, now 27 years old, was abducted at 16 and faced physical abuse from her captors. She was pressured to marry a Boko Haram member but managed to avoid it. Ishaya spent three years as a "slave," providing medical care to injured Boko Haram fighters before being reunited with her family in 2017.
Persistent kidnappings
According to a report by Save the Children, kidnappings and raids on schools have continued to happen in northern Nigeria since 2014. Over 1,600 students have been kidnapped and almost 200 others have tragically lost their lives.
Criminal gangs are also exploiting the vulnerabilities exposed by extremist groups, leading to a rise in the kidnapping-for-ransom industry, the report found.
Hauwa Ishaya was 17 when she was kidnapped by Boko Haram. She endured three harrowing years in captivity.
Hauwa Ishaya was 17 when she was kidnapped by Boko Haram. She endured three harrowing years in captivity.
CNN
Related article
They were kidnapped from a boarding school 10 years ago. Hear their stories
More than 100 students, predominantly girls, were reportedly kidnapped by criminal gangs from a school in Kuriga, northwest Nigeria on March 7. Additionally, 15 more children were abducted from a boarding school in Sokoto state, also in the northwest, two days later according to Human Rights Watch.
Reporting from Lagos was Stephanie Busari and writing from Atlanta was Michael Rios. Nimi Princewill from CNN also contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The rescue of Lydia Simon, one of the missing Chibok schoolgirls, is a beacon of hope amidst the ongoing tragedy of the Boko Haram insurgency. Her safe return, along with her three children, is a testament to the resilience and strength of the survivors. However, the fact that over 80 girls remain unaccounted for serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing suffering and human rights abuses perpetrated by the terrorist group.
The article highlights the persistent threat of kidnappings in northern Nigeria, with criminal gangs exploiting the vulnerabilities created by extremist groups. The rise in kidnapping-for-ransom is a grave concern, particularly for girls who are disproportionately targeted. The #BringBackOurGirls campaign and the stories of survivors like Amina Ali, Hannatu Stephen, and Hauwa Ishaya underscore the urgent need for increased government efforts to safeguard girls' education and protect civilians from violence and exploitation.
