Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, has confirmed the return
of Ruth Nglari Apagu, a Chibok girl who had been in captivity for seven years.
Over 200 schoolgirls, on April 14, 2014, were abducted when
Boko Haram attacked Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok.
Most of the girls were preparing for their secondary school
final examinations.
At least 103 have so far been rescued in the last seven years.
Isa Gusau, Zulum’s spokesman, said the governor received
Ruth at the Government House on Saturday where she reunited with her parents.
He said Ruth was married to a Boko Haram fighter and
returned with two children she had while in captivity.
The Chibok girl and her husband had surrendered to Nigerian
troops on July 28 at a location in Bama, Borno state.
Following their surrender, security and government officials
initiated contact with her parents to confirm her identity.
The governor said the return of Ruth should rekindle the
hope of parents and other family members of Chibok girls still in captivity.
He said Ruth will undergo a rehabilitation and reintegration
programme that will focus on her health, psychosocial wellbeing, and her future
goals.
Zulum commiserated with families of those still in captivity
and urged them to remain optimistic and prayerful.
He said: “I am extremely excited both as Borno’s governor
and father of all sons and daughters of the state and also as a father to
daughters.
“I know the feeling of families of those still under
captivity but we have to remain hopeful especially with today’s development.”
Yakubu Nkeki, chairman of the Chibok Girls Movement, said
the people of Chibok appreciate the efforts of security operatives in rescuing
their daughters.
In January, Hauwa Halim Maiyanga, one of the abducted
schoolgirls, was also rescued.
The abduction of the girls in 2014 was followed by a global
outcry that birthed the #BringBackOurGirls Movement.
The federal government says it has continued with its
efforts to rescue the remaining girls.
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