Chibok Girl, Maryam, discovered with baby in Northern Borno

One of the 197 remaining abducted Chibok girls has been found with a baby reported to be about 10 months old. She was found in Pulka, Northern Borno State amongst a group of some other escapees by men of the Nigerian Army.

Reports of the rescue was yesterday confirmed by Acting Director of the Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman Kukasheka, revealing that the Chibok girl, Maryam Ali Maiyanga, was found amongst a group of fellow escapees by troops of 121 Battalion, Nigerian Army, deployed at Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno State.

Responding to reports of the rescue, the #BringBackOurGirls applauded the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari, the military and other security formations for their hard work in the fight against terrorism.

Maryam Ali is number 198 on the list of the BBOG and was a school prefect before her abduction. She hails from Askira Uba and was abducted along with her twin, Halima Ali who is number 197 on the BBOG list. Halima Ali, however, is yet to return.

Halima’s twin sister, Maryam, was reported to have been discovered by soldiers screening escapees from a Boko Haram base in the Sambisa forest along with a baby in her arms.

The discovery of Maryam comes barely a month after the rescue of 21 girls in October mediated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss government.This brings the count now to 196 girls yet to be found.

News of the death of the Commanding Officer of the 272 Task Force Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammed Abu Ali, a highly-rated, young officer and four other members of his team, in a separate incident at Mallam Fatori, was also reported by the military.

The death of the soldiers has been described as unfortunate and saddening by the BBOG. “We send our heartfelt condolences especially to their families, and the Nigerian military,” the BBOG said in a report.

According to the Nigerian Army, on Friday, at about 10.00pm suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked a 119 Battalion Nigerian Army location at Mallam Fatori, Northern Borno State. The troops fought gallantly and repelled the attack, killing 14 Boko Haram terrorists.

“Unfortunately, we lost an officer and four soldiers, while four other soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter. One of those killed in action, was Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali, the Commanding Officer of 272 Task Force Tank Battalion.

The Army described Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali as, “a patriotic soldier who served the nation with unwavering commitment and dedication, paying the ultimate price so that millions can sleep on their beds in peace”.

“Until his death, Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali nicknamed “Sarkin Yaji; Lord of war” was the commanding officer of the 272 task force battalion at Mallam Fatori in Northern Borno State.

“We are deeply pained at the loss of one so selfless and committed to routing the misguided terrorists from the North of the country.

Lt. Col. Muhammad Abu Ali, is a recipient of the Chief of Army Staff award for exceptional bravery and excellence. He led Army units that recovered Gamboru-Ngala, Baga and several communities from the terrorists, he lost his life after a failed attempt by terrorists to capture Mallam Fatori with four other gallant soldiers. They however neutralized fourteen of the terrorists recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition from them.