Major-General Ibrahim Ali, the Theatre Commander of the North-East Joint Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed the rescue during a press briefing at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri. Ali said that Saratu was once married to one Abou Yusuf, who she later divorced before getting married to one Ba’ana Muhammad, also known as Abou Zinira, the Boko Haram terrorists’ IED expert.
According to Ali, Saratu left her three daughters aged 7, 5, and 2 in the terrorists' hideout during her escape. She has undergone intensive medical care and checks at the military hospital in Maimalari and will be handed over to the officials of the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs.
The rescue of Saratu, who is listed as serial number 10 on the list of abducted victims, brings the number of Chibok girls rescued so far to 182, with 93 still unaccounted for.
The Nigerian Army has been conducting kinetic and non-kinetic activities through Operation Hadin Kai, with its ongoing Operation Desert and Lake Sanity II leading to the recent rescue of Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus, both serial numbers two and 103 on the list of missing victims, and three of their children.
Major-General Ibrahim Ali attributed the success of the rescue mission to the joint efforts of Operation Hadin kai, under the strategic guidance of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and the Chief Air Staff.
The Commissioner of Women Affairs in Borno State, Zuwaira Gambo, commended the Nigerian Army for its efforts and successes in rescuing the girls and assured the public of Saratu's rehabilitation under the ministry before handing her over to her family.
Meanwhile, the rescue of Saratu's children and other victims remains ongoing. The Nigerian Army is committed to containing the insurgency in the region and ensuring the rescue of the remaining Chibok girls still in captivity.