More girls have fled Boko Haram captivity after military operations, the army said on Thursday night.
In a statement circulated on Facebook, Nigerian Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman confirmed the development.
He gave the name of the Chibok schoolgirl now with the Nigerian army as Serah Luka, explaining that she was quoted as saying that three other girls ran from their captors following the military operations.
“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,” the statement said.
“During the operations, the troops killed 35 Boko Haram terrorists and recovered several arms and ammunition 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.”
This is coming a day after the first girl, Amina Ali, was rescued in Sambisa forest.
She met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.