Barnabas Fund, 6 July 2022
3 Nigerian Christian women kidnapped as teenagers by Boko Haram Islamist terrorists from a school in Chibok 8 years ago have been found.
They were recovered with their children by the Nigerian Army during operations against Boko Haram in Borno State between 27 June and 25 July.
Ruth Bitrus, 24, and her child were rescued in Sambisa Forest. Hanatu Musa, 26, and her 2 children, and Kauna Luka, 25, with 1 child, were recovered in the Bama Area.
Major General Shaibu said the women and children were given medical check-ups. Arrangements are being made for them to be reunited with their families, he added.
Reporters said the women looked traumatised and thanked the military for their rescue.
Boko Haram abducted 276 mostly Christian girls from the Chibok School in April 2014. Around 165 girls have since escaped, been rescued or released. They reported being whipped to force them into marriage, while some Christian girls had a mock execution for refusing to convert to Islam.
In June 2022 the military recovered two other kidnapped Chibok women. Mary Dauda revealed they were starved and beaten by their captors, adding, “I’m so happy to be back.”