Chibok Girl Rescued in Nigeria: Report
On April 18, the Nigerian Army announced they had rescued Lydia Simon, one of the 276 girls abducted from Chibok, Nigeria ten years ago.
Ms. Simon is now the mother of three children and five months pregnant with a fourth. The Nigerian army did not share details of the rescue other than to say Simon was found in the community of Ngoshe.
On April 14, Open Doors partners attended the ten-year anniversary service of the abduction of 276 girls from Chibok, Nigeria.
Nigerian newspaper Punch reports that the Nigerian Army on Thursday shared a statement that read, “Nigerian Army troops deployed in the North-East have continued to make significant strides in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, with the recent rescue of Lydia Simon, a Chibok girl who had been held captive by Boko Haram terrorists for several years.”
Sunday, April 14, marked the ten-year anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls. Parents of the girls held a special memorial service that Open Doors partners were able to attend.
One parent mentioned that all they wanted was the return of their daughters, even if that might be cultural stigma due to having children from Boko Haram fighters.
“My hope and prayer is that the God that doesn’t fail will bring back our own children. Even if they have children now, no matter the condition they are in, we want them that way”, said Yana Gala. Yana’s daughter Rifkatu is still among those missing.
"My hope and prayer is that the God that doesn’t fail will bring back our own children."
Yana Gala
Chibok Parent
“What I want the world to know is that the government should help find these girls wherever they are. I am pleading with them to pity us just like others were released, we too our children should be released so I can be happy and forget my sorrows.” said Isia Malam. His daughter Hauwa is also counted among those still in captivity.
It is unclear what will happen to Lydia and her children now that she is no longer in the hands of the extremists. Recently Reuters shared the news that some Chibok girls are now living inside a military-run rehabilitation camp with surrendered Boko Haram fighters they married in the bush. Three surviving women told Reuters that in at least five cases, women who arrived at the camp unmarried have been married off to surrendered fighters in an apparent effort to appease the surrendered fighters, family members say.
The news of Lydia’s release is reason for thanksgiving. Please continue to pray alongside the Chibok parents and community for the release of all the girls.
“Prayer is our only solution, if not for prayers we don’t know what else to do, and with that we trust that as God released some he will release all,” Hanatu Dauda shares. Her daughter Saratu was freed but now lives in the government run rehabilitation camp in Maiduguri.
Nigeria sits at number 6 on the 2024 World Watch List.
