UNICEF staff, one other escape ISWAP captivity after years of ordeal

No fewer than two humanitarian workers held captive by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have regained their freedom after enduring years of trauma.

Ms. Alice Loksha Nggatah, a 42-year-old nurse and UNICEF staff member from Hawul Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, was abducted along with two International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) female staff during an attack on a UNICEF office in Rann, Kala Balge LGA, on March 1, 2018.

Following her abduction, Ms. Alice was initially taken to Tombumma, where she was held for two days before being moved to Kwalleram.

She spent seven months in captivity there and was forced into marriage with ISWAP Commander Abu Umar.

The union resulted in the birth of a son, Mohammed. However, her ordeal intensified after Abu Umar was killed by his colleagues, leading to her forced marriage in 2022 to another ISWAP commander, Abu Simak.

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Abu Simak was later banished by the group to Dogon Chuku camp near the Diffa axis.

Seizing an opportunity, Ms. Alice escaped from Dogon Chuku on October 24, 2024, navigating through the Diffa axis to Geldam and eventually arriving at the headquarters of Theatre Command on October 29, 2024.

Miss Fayina Ali Akilawus, the younger sister of the late Lance Corporal Samuel Andrew, a Nigerian Army soldier, was abducted on October 19, 2020.

She was traveling from Kaduna to Maiduguri to process her brother’s death benefits when ISWAP terrorists intercepted her along the Maiduguri-Benisheikh road.

Miss Fayina spent nine months in captivity at the Kangarwa enclave before being moved to Tombumma, where she endured three years under the control of a terrorist leader, Mohammed Sheikh.

She was subsequently relocated back to Kangarwa for another year before finally escaping captivity.

Both women were presented to the public on November 15, 2024, at a press briefing by security officials.