Army identifies second Chibok schoolgirl rescued

Army identifies second Chibok schoolgirl rescued

Friday, May 20, 2016 4:51 am


Miss Serah Luka

Miss Serah Luka

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Nigerian Army in a statement released early Friday  identified the second Chibok schoolgirl rescued out of the 218 remaining in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists.

She is Serah Luka, daughter of Pastor Luka.

The army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman had ignited excitement on Thursday when he broke the news, hours after President Muhammadu Buhari received the first of the girls, Amina Ali Nkeki. But Usman did not give details.

But in the statement released early Friday morning, he identified the girl while also explaining the circumstances that led to her rescue.

In the statement, Colonel Usman said: “At about 11.00am today, Thursday, 19th May 2016, troops of 231 Battalion, 331 Artillery Regiment (AR), Detachment of Armed Forces Special Forces (AFSF) 2, Explosive Ordinance (EOD) Team and Civilian Vigilante group of Buratai, conducted clearance operations at Shettima Aboh, Hong and Biladdili general area in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

“During the operations, the troops killed 35 Boko Haram terrorists and recovered several arms and ammunitions and other items. In addition, they rescued 97 women and children held captives by the Boko Haram terrorists.

“We are glad to state that among those rescued is a girl believed to be one of the    Chibok Government Secondary School girls that were abducted on 14th April 2014 by the Boko Haram terrorists.

“Her name is  Miss  Serah Luka, who is number 157 on the list of the abducted school girls. She is believed to be the daughter of Pastor Luka.

“During debriefing, the girl revealed that she was a JSS1 student of the school  at the time they were abducted.

“She further added that she hails from Madagali, Adamawa State. She averred that she reported at the school barely two months and one week before her unfortunate abduction along with other girls over two years ago.

“She added that there  are other three girls who fled from Shettima Aboh when the troops invaded the area earlier today which led  to their rescue.  She is presently receiving medical attention at the medical facility of Abogo Largema Cantonment, Biu, Borno State,” Colonel Usman said.

The Army and the civilian vigilance group, otherwise known as Civilian JTF, battling the insurgents in Sambisa Forest, Borno State,  North East Nigeria which was believed to be the last stronghold of the insurgent group had on Tuesday rescued one of the Chibok girls identified as Amina Ali Nkeki.

President Muhammadu Buhari received the rescued girl who was led to the Aso Rock presidential villa by Governor Kashim Shettima on Thursday.


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