Kidnapped nurse outwits ISWAP commander, escapes after 6 years in captivity
In a remarkable display of resilience and courage, Alice Loksha, a 42-year-old nurse, has escaped from captivity after six years of being held by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). Loksha, who was abducted in March 2018 while working at a UNICEF facility in Rann, Borno State, managed to outsmart her captors and regain her freedom.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, North-East, Major General Wahdi Shuaibu, shared details of Loksha’s escape during a press briefing held at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri. According to him, the nurse’s escape is a testament to her unyielding willpower and determination, which sustained her through years of captivity and forced marriages.
Loksha was reportedly compelled to marry Abu Umar, a Boko Haram commander, with whom she had a son named Mohammed. Following Umar’s death, she was forced to marry ISWAP Commander Abu Simak. However, Loksha saw an opportunity to flee and seized it, escaping from the Dogon Chuku camp on October 24, 2024. She reached the military headquarters on October 29, 2024, and was immediately provided medical care.
In addition to Loksha’s escape, another woman, Fayina Ali, also regained her freedom. Ali, abducted in October 2020 while traveling from Kaduna, endured four years in captivity. She was initially held in Kangaruwa enclave, later moved to Tumbunma, and eventually returned to Kangaruwa before making her escape. Both women faced harrowing conditions, including forced marriages and constant threats, yet displayed remarkable strength throughout their ordeal.
Representing the Theatre Commander, Deputy Major-General Kenneth Chigbu narrated the women’s experiences, highlighting Loksha’s courage in fleeing from her captors. He also described Ali’s resilience during her time in captivity.
The Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, expressed her gratitude to the military for their efforts in rescuing and securing the women’s freedom. Gambo assured that both survivors would receive comprehensive psychosocial support, rehabilitation, and care before being reunited with their families.
“These women have endured unimaginable challenges, and it is our duty to support their reintegration into society,” Gambo said, commending their bravery and the efforts of the security forces in combating insurgency and restoring peace in the region.
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