In a significant development, Major General Shuaibu Waidi, Theater Commander of North East Operation Hadin Kai, has handed over Ihi Abdul, a Chibok schoolgirl, along with her two children, and 330 women and children rescued from Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa Forests, to the Borno State Government.
During a briefing at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, General Waidi stated, “Today we will be witnessing two events namely, the handover of the rescued Chibok girl and the handover of other women and children to the officials of the Borno State Government for further management.”
He affirmed the commitment of the theater to continue efforts to rescue the remaining Chibok girls.
“The theatre will continue to do its best to rescue the remaining Chibok girls in captivity in line with the strategic guidance from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Toaheed Lagbaja. We equally thank the Chief of Army Staff for all the support being provided to the theatre which was instrumental to the successful conduct of the operations that facilitated the rescue of Ihi Abdul from the Sambisa Forest.”
General Waidi noted that the plight of the remaining Chibok girls continues to be a national concern, driving several military operations into terrorist strongholds.
“So far, a total of 19 Chibok girls have been rescued as a result of direct military operations,” he added.
Brigadier General Abubakar Haruna, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, revealed that Ihi Abdul was rescued by troops of the 22 Taskforce Brigade on July 23, 2024.
“Ihi Abdul was on serial number 67 of the abducted Chibok school girls published by the federal government. She was married off to Boko Haram Commander Abu Darda and subsequently to three other husbands after fleeing to Senegal,” he said.
General Haruna confirmed that Abdul was rescued with her two children and is three months pregnant.
“She has undergone necessary medical checkup and we are handing her over to the Borno state government for further attention today,” he concluded.