In a remarkable breakthrough, troops of the 114 Taskforce Battalion, Bita in Borno State have rescued another abducted Chibok schoolgirl, 26-year-old Hauwa Maltha, and her three-year-old baby on April 21, 2023. Hauwa, who was abducted alongside other schoolgirls on April 14, 2014, was rescued during operations at Lagara. This development comes almost a decade after their abduction and rescue of some of the girls.
Hauwa Maltha, who is from the Kibaku tribe in Jila of Chibok LGA in Borno State, was number two on the list of abducted Chibok Schoolgirls. During her captivity, she got married to a cameraman, Salman, who worked for the late terrorist leader, Shekau. Salman later died in Lake Chad, and Hauwa was married off to another man, Mallam Muhammad, in Gobara. Hauwa had two children for Mallam Muhammad, who was also killed in Ukuba terrorists enclave in Sambisa forest during clashes between JAS/ISWAP rivals.
Since her rescue, Hauwa and her baby have undergone a thorough medical examination and are in good condition. Hauwa, who is eight months and two weeks pregnant, has been adequately resuscitated and will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further management.
This development is a significant breakthrough in the efforts to rescue the remaining Chibok girls who are still in captivity. Hauwa’s rescue shows that the military is still committed to the rescue mission and that the government’s efforts are not in vain.
The rescue of Hauwa and her baby is a testament to the bravery and determination of the Nigerian troops. It is also a message to the terrorists that their days are numbered, and they will not be allowed to hold innocent citizens captive for long.
The rescue of Hauwa and her baby is a remarkable achievement and a glimmer of hope in the quest to rescue the remaining Chibok girls. The Nigerian government must continue to intensify its efforts to ensure the safe return of all the remaining schoolgirls in captivity