A Nigerian nurse, Alice Loksha, 42, has successfully escaped from the den of Boko Haram insurgents six years after she was abducted.
Loksha was abducted in 2018 by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
The Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, North-East, Major General Wahdi Shuaibu, told newsmen on Friday that Loksha was captured while working at a UNICEF office in Kala Balge.
Shuaibu, who was represented by his deputy, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Chigbu, also announced the escape of another abducted woman, Fayina Ali, who was captured by Boko Haram insurgents in 2020 while travelling from Kaduna to process her late brother’s death benefits.
According to him, both abductees were forced into marriage with the insurgents while in captivity.
“She was forced to marry Abu Umar, with whom she had a son, Mohammed.
“After Abu Umar’s death, she was forced into another marriage to ISWAP Commander Abu Simak. She later escaped from Dogon Chuku camp on October 24, 2024, and arrived at HQ TC on October 29, 2024, where she received medical attention.
“Fayina was initially held at Kangaruwa enclave for nine months, then transferred to Tumbunma for three years, and returned to Kangaruwa for another year before escaping,” he said.
He said the two women had undergone traumatic experiences but had shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.
Advocacy groups have also highlighted the incident, urging the government to intensify efforts to rescue others still held by the group.
