Nigerian girl kidnapped by Boko Haram free after seven years: governor
- Nearly 300 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014 from Chibok in northeast Nigeria
- About 113 of the girls are believed to be held still by the militant group
One of the Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants more than seven years ago is free and has been reunited with her family, a state governor’s office said.
Nearly 300 schoolgirls, most aged between 12 and 17, were abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014 from Chibok in northeast Nigeria, sparking an international outcry and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign for their release.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said in a statement on Saturday that Ruth Ngladar Pogu surrendered to the military last month along with a person she said she had married.
“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,” he said. “I know the feeling of families of those still under captivity but we have to remain hopeful especially with today’s development.”
The governor’s office said she had surrendered to the military on July 28. But officials had not announced the development earlier to give them time to contact her parents and other Chibok families.
The released girl will receive psychological and medical care as part of a government rehabilitation programme.