Hauwa Maltha, one of the two Chibok schoolgirls recently recovered by the military in Borno State, claims that the late Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, forcedly married her off to three militants nine years after their kidnapping in 2014.
Major General Ibrahim Ali, Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Operation, Hadin Kai, stated that Hauwa, 26, and Esther Marcus, 26, were rescued in Sambisa Forest on April 21, 2023.
On Thursday, May 4, Hauwa expressed joy at their rescue, revealing that the soldiers rescued them while they were out fetching water in the forest.
When questioned if they were compelled to marry three husbands, she replied:
“Yes, Shekau was the one who married us to them. The first husband left. He never returned, and Shekau claimed the marriage had ended because they chose to be infidels.
“We didn’t do it on purpose.” Three separate men I married. There, I married another fighter from the village, who died in a fight with Shekau soldiers. “Before the last one, I had two children with him,” she revealed.
Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali told journalists at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri that Hauwa Maltha and Esther Marcus, serial numbers two and 103 on the list of missing victims, were rescued by troops from the 114 Taskforce Battalion Bitta at Lagara, under the 21 Armoured Brigade Bama during Operations.
He stated that Hauwa Maltha, a 26-year-old Kibaku by tribe from Jila in Borno State’s Chibok Local Government, and her 3-year-old baby were rescued.
He said that while in prison, Hauwa married Salman, a cinematographer for Abubakar Shekau, in Gulukos, a community in Sambisa forest.
“Salman died later in Lake Chad.” Following that, Hauwa Maltha married Mallam Muhammad in Gobara and had two children for him, both of whom died as a result of illness. Muhammad, her second husband, was also slain in Boko Haram/ISWAP combat in Ukuba terrorist camps in Sambisa forest,” he claimed.
“Hauwa, who was about eight months and two weeks pregnant at the time of her rescue, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy on 28 April 2023 while undergoing thorough medical examination with her baby Fatima at 7 Div Medical Hospital and Services,” he said.
Ali stated that Esther, 26, was forcibly married to one Garba, also known as Garus, a Boko Haram member who was slain during troop offensive operations against terrorist camps while in captivity.
“She was later married off to another insurgent, Abba, in Ukuba terrorist enclaves in Sambisa forest until she was rescued by Operation Hadin Kai troops.”
“Since their rescue, they have been subjected to extensive medical examinations, along with their babies, and have been adequately resuscitated. They will be handed over to the Borno State government for further administration.”
“These results are evident because troops recently rescued about 14 Chibok girls,” he said.
“The girls rescued thus far include Aisha Grema, serial number 11 on the list of abducted Chibok girls, Hannatu Musa, serial number 7, and Sera Luka, serial number 38 on the list.”
“Others are; Ruth Bitrus, number 41, Mary Dauda, number 46, Hauwa Joseph, number 18, Falmata Lawan, number 3, Asabe Ali, number 12, Jankai Yamal, number 20, Yana Pogu, number 19, Rejoice Sanki, number 70, and Hassana Adamu, number 35,” he added.
Engr. Zanna Modu Chibok, the District Head of Chibok, expressed his delight at the news of the rescue of more girls, but hoped they had all come out.
“It brings us all joy to know that hope is not lost, and we sincerely thank everyone who has made this possible.” We salute our valiant troops for this and other achievements. “We will continue to pray for the safe return of other captives,” he stated.
