Two Chibok Schoolgirls Rescued!

Kidnapped school girls from Chibok, Nigeria
Girls abducted from a school in Chibok, Nigeria, during 2014.
Photo: Screenshot

After more than eight years in captivity, two of the girls kidnapped from a school in Chibok, Nigeria, have managed to gain their freedom. Hauwa Joseph and Mary Douda were among the more than 270 girls who were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists on April 14th, 2014 (see this report).

On June 21st, the Nigerian military presented both of the recently rescued young women, along with the babies born to them during captivity. Hauwa was found among other civilians near Barna on June 12th. Mary turned herself over to troops in Ngoshe, near the border with Cameroon, on June 14th. In both cases, the girls had been forced to marry their captors while in captivity.

Hauwa was only nine years old when she was kidnapped in 2014. "I was married off not long ago and had this child," she told reporters. However, her husband was recently killed in a military raid, leaving her to fend for herself and their 14-month-old child. "We were abandoned; no one cared to look after us. We were not being fed," she recounted.

Mary was 18 years old when she was captured. Throughout her captivity, she had been married at different times to Boko Haram fighters. "They would starve and beat you if you refused to pray (Islamic prayers)," she recalled while reflecting on her life in the rebel encampment. When she decided to flee, she convinced her husband that she was going to visit another Chibok girl near Ngoshe. With the help of an elderly man living outside the village, Mary travelled to Ngoshe where she surrendered to Nigeria's military troops.

Speaking of the schoolgirls who are still missing, Mary stated: "All the remaining Chibok girls have been married with children. I left more than 20 of them in Sambisa." She was able to proclaim, "I'm so happy I'm back!" It is believed that Mary's mention of Sambisa refers to the Gazuwa Camp in the Sambisa forest, the main headquarters for a faction of the Boko Haram terrorists.

Praise God for the safe deliverance of Mary, Hauwa and their children. Pray for these young women and their families as they look forward to the years ahead, asking the Lord to provide emotional support and healing as they integrate back into their communities. Additionally, please pray for the safe rescue of the many other girls still in captivity. May Nigeria's governing leaders take the necessary actions to ensure their safety and restoration as well, so they can be joyfully reunited with their families.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC works with in-country partners to encourage and strengthen persecuted Christians through a variety of methods. Christians are equipped with audio bibles to distribute to their persecutors. Christian widows receive skills training and trauma counselling as a way to provide an income for their families and heal from the trauma they’ve faced in losing their husbands. Children who have lost parents and relatives due to attacks are provided with a safe place to grow and be nurtured. Medical fees are paid for Christians who have suffered injuries due to attacks by Boko Haram and Fulani. Discipleship and vocational training are given to Muslim Background Believers to help them start their new lives spiritually and practically. The Glenn Penner Scholarship Award is used to help equip persecuted Christians completing their Masters and have a heart to share the Gospel with the lost in their community.

    Project Funds: Women’s Ministry, Bibles, Medical Fund, Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Relief & Development

  • Country Information

    Population
    230,842,743 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Hausa (30), Yoruba (15.5), Igbo (15.2), Fulani (6), Tiv (2.4), Kanuri/Beriberi (2.4), Ibibio (1.8), Izaw/Izon (1.8), Other (24.7)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (53.5), Christianity (45.9), Other (0.6)

    Leader
    President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (2023)

    Government type
    Federal presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Nigeria

    May God minister great comfort and healing to all who have been injured or bereaved as a result of the militants' brutal attacks. In addition, pray for the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls, that they will be assured of the Lord's abiding presence as they await release from captivity. Continue to uphold President Tinubu and other members of the Nigerian government as they make further attempts to rescue the remaining girls and provide protection for vulnerable citizens. As they persevere in their endeavours to overcome terrorism, may they be granted wisdom, courage, strength and help from on high.

Nigeria News

  • Ongoing Violence Leads to Church Closures
    Pastor Amos Mohzo is smiling.
    Pastor Amos Mohzo
    Photo: Morning Star News
     

    Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. One estimate states that, on average, every two hours there is a Christian in Nigeria who dies. The ongoing brutality comes from numerous directions, and news reports only reflect a small portion of the violent incidents that take place – whether they involve fatalities, abductions or the destruction of properties. In many cases, multiple atrocities take place during a terrorist attack.