Chibok Girl Regains Freedom With Children, Says She Left 6 Other Captives Behind

Lydia Simon, one of the 276 girls abducted from Chibok in 2014, has regained freedom, officials confirmed. She emerged from captivity with three children, stating that six of her schoolmates remained behind somewhere in the Gwoza area of Borno, northeastern Nigeria.

Lydia, now 27, was taken ten years ago during her final exams at Government Secondary School in Chibok. She is said to be the 195th girl to have regained freedom. 

“I got married to three men, the fathers of each of my three children,” Lydia recounted. “My first, second and third husbands were killed in battle with soldiers.”

During her decade-long ordeal, Lydia lived among other abducted schoolgirls until she was moved to the Bayan Dutse area in Gwoza.

“There were six of my fellow Chibok girls living with me at Bayan Dutse,” she said. “But I cannot account for those we left inside Sambisa.”

Despite her freedom, Lydia’s outlook on education has dimmed.

“I just want to go home and take care of my children; I don’t think my head has the space for learning anymore,” she said.

She said this while being handed over to the Borno state government by the Nigerian military.

“The Chibok abduction by Boko Haram terrorists 10 years ago sparked international outrage and a global campaign for their return, encapsulated by the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls,” said the Theater Commander, Major General Wahidi Shaibu. 

“Since then, the Nigerian military has rescued 18 of them during various military operations, with the latest rescue being that of Lydia and her three children on April 17.”

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier AGL Haruna, stated that Lydia and her children have been placed under intensive medical care by the 7 Division.

“We have been providing for them and clothing all four of them. Now, we believe they are ready to be handed over to the state government officials for further care.”