Local media in Nigeria are reporting the rescue by the Nigerian army of another Chibok girl near the Sambisa forest.
Another Chibok girl rescued by Nigerian army - Reports
According to the Vanguard, Rakiya Abubakar and her baby were rescued by troops of the 27 Brigade of the army around Alagarno in Borno State.
If confirmed by the authorities, it brings the total number of girls rescued from Boko Haram to 23. The most recent release of 21 girls was facilitated by the Red Cross and Swiss government in October 2016.
BREAKING: Another Chibok girl,Rakiya Abubakar and her baby rescued by troops of 27 Brigade around Alagarno area near Ajigin in Damboa LGA— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) January 5, 2017
Army confirms rescue of Chibok Girl – details
The Nigerian army has confirmed the rescue of the Chibok girl with her six-month old baby. Troops of the operation aimed at flushing out Boko Haram discovered her while investigating arrested terrorists.
According to preliminary investigation, it was discovered she is the daughter of Abubakar Gali Mulima and Habiba Abubakar of Chibok.
She was a student of Senior Secondary School Class 3B (SS 3B), before her abduction along with her colleagues on 14th April 2014 by the Boko Haram terrorists.
She is presently undergoing further medical investigation and would soon be released to the Borno State Government.
The Bring Back Our Girls group however stated that they were in the process of verifying the news and that it will be indeed “delightful if true,” as they prepare to mark the 1000th day in captivity of the other girls.
We are in the process of verifying the news of one of our #ChibokGirls' return today, 3 days to #Day1000. It'd indeed be delightful if true.— #BringBackOurGirls (@BBOG_Nigeria) January 5, 2017
The last time the Army rescued one of the girls was on May 17, 2016. Amina Ali Nkeki was rescued with her son. She was sent to the Borno State government before flying to meet President Buhari in Abuja.
The Army recently announced having crashed the Boko Haram group but leader its leader Abubakar Shekau, dismissed the claim saying they were still strong and ready to launch attacks.
READ MORE Chibok, #BringBackOurGirls & the Power of Social Media Activism
Timeline of the Chibok Girls abduction and rescues
The girls were abducted on 14 April in 2014
A total of 276 girls were abducted at night by the militants at their school
Out of the number 57 managed to escape after jumping out of the truck that was transporting them
One girl, Amina Ali Nkeki, was found in May year. She was found along with her baby and ‘militant’ partner
In August 2016, Boko Haram released a video in which they claimed that military airstrikes had killed some of the girls
They expressed the desire to swap the girls for their ‘brothers’ who were being held by the Nigerian government.
October 2016, the government confirmed the rescue of 21 other girls.
With 57 who escaped plus 23 rescued (as at January 2017), the number still in captivity comes up to 196.
The Nigerian government has confirmed the return of 21 of our #ChibokGirls. We are extremely delighted and grateful. As we await the names.— #BringBackOurGirls (@BBOG_Nigeria) October 13, 2016