Two rescued Chibok schoolgirls – Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus – have recalled their experience in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists, especially how they were married off to five terrorist-husbands within nine years.

They were among girls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State in 2014 by Boko Haram.

Hauwa Maltha, 26-year-old, and her 3-year-old baby were rescued. She said that she was forced to marry three terrorists.

Hauwa said: “Yes, it was Abubakar Shekau that married us to them. The first husband went away. Unfortunately, he never returned and Shekau said the marriage had collapsed since they chose to be infidels.

“We did not do it intentionally. I married three different men. There, I married another fighter at the village, and he died after a fight between the Shekau soldiers. I have two children with him before the last one.”

The Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Operation, Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, while briefing newsmen at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Thursday, said that Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus, both serial numbers two and 103 in the list of the missing victims, were rescued on April 21, 2023, by troops of 114 Taskforce Battalion Bitta at Lagara.

He explained that while in captivity, Hauwa got married at Gulukos, a village in Sambisa forest, to one Salman, a cameraman to Abubakar Shekau.

“Salman later died in Lake Chad. Thereafter, Hauwa Maltha got married to one Mallam Muhammad in Gobara and had 2 children for him who later died due to sickness.

“Muhammad, her second husband, was also killed in Ukuba terrorist enclaves in Sambisa forest during clashes between Boko Haram/ISWAP,” he said.

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“Hauwa, who was about 8 months and 2 weeks pregnant during the time of her rescue delivered a bouncing baby boy on 28 April 2023 while undergoing thorough medical examination along with her baby Fatima at 7 Div Medical Hospital and Services,” he said.

Ali explained that while in captivity, 26-year-old Esther was forcefully married to one Garba, also known as Garus, a Boko Haram fighter who was killed during troops offensive operations on terrorists’ enclaves.

“She was later married off to another insurgents, Abba, in Ukuba terrorist enclaves in Sambisa forest until her rescue by troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

“Since their rescue, they have undergone thorough medical examination along with their babies and are adequately resuscitated and will be handed over to the Borno State Government for further administration.

“These results are evident as troops have rescued about 14 Chibok girls recently.

“The girls rescued so far include Aisha Grema, serial number 11 on the abducted Chibok girls list, Hannatu Musa, number 7 on the list, and Sera Luka, number 38 on the list.

Others are; Ruth Bitrus, number 41, Mary Dauda, number 46, Hauwa Joseph, number 18, Falmata Lawan, number 3, Asabe Ali, number 12, Jankai Yamal, number 20, Yana Pogu, number 19, Rejoice Sanki, number 70 and Hassana Adamu, number 35,” he said.

The Star