News
Boko Haram loses over 1,000 captives — Father of escaped Chibok girl
Boko Haram insurgents may have lost over a thousand captives during the confusion arising from a recent devastating military onslaught.
Mr Ali Maiyanga, father of one of the latest escapees, Halima, gave the indication while conversing with the family’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe of US NIGERIA LAW GROUP, Washington, DC, USA.
Ogebe said in an account made available to News Express via e-mail yesterday, Friday, January 29, 2021: “When I asked if other classmates escaped with Halima, he indicated that he couldn’t be precise but that over 1,000 captives were freed along with his daughter.”
Circumstances surrounding the rescue or escape are unclear but they may not be unconnected with the blistering military offensive which News Express reported last Wednesday, January 27.
According to that report, Nigerian troops with the support of the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) invaded four Boko Haram strongholds barely hours after the announcement of new military service chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The operation led by Brig. Gen Waidi Shaibu, Brigade Commander of 21 Special Armor Brigade, reportedly saw several Boko Haram fighters killed in Maiyanki, Darulsallam, Bula Kurege and Izza – all in the North-East.
Below is Barrister Ogebe’s account, reproduced unedited, of his interactions with Halima’s father, Ali Maiyanga:
It was a joy to speak with Mr Ali Maiyanga again and congratulate him for the second time on the freedom of another daughter.
Mr Maiyanga was in the first set of parents we met during a US congressional delegation visit to Nigeria weeks after the Chibok abductions.
I was impressed with his commitment to education as a Muslim man when he told us then that he would even sell his house to educate his daughters.
I journaled then, his very emotional recollection of the abduction, “During a congressional visit to Nigeria, A Chibok dad, Mr. Ali narrated his agonizing story. Mr Ali had queried his daughter on why she came home for the weekend when she should be in school studying. On Sunday evening she left for school. As she was going, she gave money to her younger siblings who fought over it. He chided her for causing the brawl and then she left.
The last they heard from her was at midnight when she called and said “these boys are in our school.” Boko Haram abducted two of his daughters – 16 and 17. He is a Muslim man who says that he would sell his house to give his girls an opportunity to get educated.”
On November 7, 2017when his daughter Maryam returned, I posted online “I never forget when I met this guy named Ali Maiyanga. What do you tell a guy who has lost not one but two daughters in the abduction?
“I had just bought a new suit that I hadn’t won. He looked about my height. I gave it to him to try on. It fit.
“Even after losing two daughters in 2014, last year BH came back and killed two of his adopted sons.
“Now one of his daughter’s is back. Some joy in the midst of great sorrow!”
Yesterday while confirming the news of his second daughter Halima’s freedom, I inquired after Maryam.
“She’s back in school but currently home on break,” Ali Maiyanga excitedly told me.
I was impressed for two reasons. Firstly one of the Chibok schoolgirls had just gotten married and returned to school for her finals when she was abducted.
After they were freed in negotiations, she insisted on going back to her husband’s house instead of staying in the government’s rehabilitation and education programme.
However I was more surprised because having been married off and had a child, the initial concern was that she had been radicalized away from education by Boko Haram.
Mr Maiyanga told me that even Maryam’s son is now able to read. It is perhaps the greatest irony that a child sired by Boko Haram rape is now a student in western education.
Mr Ali Maiyanga’s grandson was named after him by his daughter in captivity – a clear testament of how much his daughters loved him.
In another miraculous redemption of this horrifying experience, Ali who lost two daughters to abduction and two sons to murder, has recovered both daughters and gained a grandson. This is certainly a beauty from ashes story!
When I asked if other classmates escaped with Halima, he indicated that he couldn’t be precise but that over 1,000 captives were freed along with his daughter.
I think there might be more Chibok schoolgirls but after years of traumatic captivity, would they remember their parents’ numbers? Some parents have also died which might explain why more calls haven’t been made.
It is also important to note though that Halima as a Muslim and wife of a commander had less restrictive captivity, based on intel from returnees, than her Christian classmates. This may have enabled her getting away.
It is clearly a tribute to the triumph of the indomitable human spirit that she still desired freedom and ultimately got it.
I have communicated the news to the US congressmen and women on both CODELS to Nigeria in 2014 as well as the new Biden appointees who were then officials in the Obama administration. They like some of the Chibok girls in US are elated at the news that more classmates. Some had last seen the Maiyanga’s daughters on the Boko Haram’s trucks before they jumped off into the forest.
Newsexpress
Rugby School Nigeria, the newest international school of the esteemed Rugby School Group, is set to open in September 2025 in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
To celebrate this significant milestone, an exclusive launch event was held at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, attracting over 100 distinguished guests and key stakeholders from the education, government, business sectors, and diplomatic communities.
At the official launch event on March 19, 2025, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter highlighted the significance of Rugby School Nigeria stating:
“Rugby School Nigeria exemplifies one of the best of UK-Nigeria collaborations, bringing another world-class British education institution to the heart of Lagos. Situated in the dynamic Eko Atlantic City, a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and innovation, this school is poised to further shape future leaders in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
Rugby School Nigeria will initially open its doors for Sixth Form students (ages 16-18) in September 2025, with boarding facilities set to be available from September 2026. The Senior School (ages 11-16) will launch in September 2026, offering a broad and engaging curriculum that prepares students for IGCSEs and future academic success.
Founding Principal of Rugby School Nigeria, Dr Adam England expressed his enthusiasm:
“Rugby School Nigeria will offer an exceptional education that nurtures both intellectual growth and character development guided by the Rugby School ‘Whole Person, Whole Point’ philosophy. Students will benefit from a comprehensive A-Level programme, preparing them for top universities worldwide, alongside the Rugby 360 programme, which fosters leadership, community engagement, and personal development.
Our state-of-the-art facilities will include science labs, creative arts spaces, and world-class sporting facilities.”
Founded in 1567, Rugby School is one of the world’s most prestigious UK boarding schools, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and character development. With established sister schools in Thailand, Japan, and now Nigeria, Rugby School continues to expand its global impact, offering transformative educational experiences to students worldwide.
Dr England added, “We are excited by the substantial interest we have already received, with numerous parents’ meetings taking place daily at our offices.”
Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Olajide Ipinsagba Emmanuel has scored himself high in terms of constituency projects deliveries to his constituents.
Speaking in an exclusive interview in his office with journalists, he said “he facilitated Agricultural Training Programs for youths and existing farmers, equipping them with modern techniques to enhance productivity, distributed fertilizers to farmers to address critical agricultural challenges, ensuring increased output and improved local food security.
“Constructed and fully equipped a modern health centre in Akunnu-Akoko, ensuring access to quality healthcare for the community, distributed health equipments and materials to the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare-Akoko, thereby strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving health outcomes.”
“Trained and Empowered Women and Youth in Confectioneries. He organised training in cake baking and other confectioneries, followed by the disbursement of start-up grants to empower beneficiaries to establish their businesses. Training of women on soap making with start-up funds.
In the same vein, he organized ICT training programs for youths, distributed HP Core i7 laptops, and provided start-up grants to promote innovation and employment in the tech sector.
“Trained youths in tailoring, provided sewing machines, and disbursed start-up grants to enhance self-reliance and job creation. Constructed a 1.5-kilometer road in Oka-Akoko, improving connectivity, facilitating economic activities, and easing transportation for farmers and traders. Spearheaded the construction of the Ikare Modern Civic Center, which serves as a hub for cultural, social, and civic engagements. Facilitated the construction of 28 lock-up shops in Oka -Akoko, providing a conducive environment for entrepreneurs and boosting local commerce.
Dist. Sen. Olajide who is passionate about education, distributed free JAMB forms to students across the Senatorial District, enabling many young people to pursue higher education without financial barriers.
Also, he sponsored a bill for the establishment of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) University in Ikare-Akoko. A public hearing was successfully held on December 28, 2024, reflecting progress toward establishing this vital institution for skill development and education. Lighting up towns and villages with Solar Panels including Adekunle Ajasin University.”
These achievements underscore his commitment to fostering development in agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, he also prioritizes accountability and efficiency in national projects, which directly impacts the equitable allocation of resources to Ondo North Senatorial District and Ondo State at large.
Moreso, he empowered Small Businesses through skill acquisition programmes and provision of lock-up shops, he has laid the groundwork for entrepreneurship to flourish within the district. Strengthening Youth Engagement, by bridging the gap between education, technology, and employment. He is equipping youths with the tools necessary to thrive in the modern economy.”
Edo State Government has lashed at the factional chapter of the caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and the appointed publicity secretary, Chris Nehikhare, for rushing to the press without first understanding the subject at hand.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua in Benin and made available to journalists said, Nehikhare’s latest press release was another embarrassing display of ignorance, completely missing the point Governor Monday Okpebholo raised.
The Governor was referring to the $10 million that Godwin Obaseki budgeted for The Observer Newspaper shortly before the 2024 governorship elections in Edo State, not the refurbished equipment bought from ‘Ogbete Market’ in Enugu State.
Obaseki, a portfolio scam artist, who presided over the looting of Edo’s commonwealth, hurriedly siphoned $10 million, using The Observer Newspaper as a conduit, barely a few days to the governorship election in Edo State in late 2024.
Nehikhare’s desperate attempt to twist the conversation is not just misleading but exposes the habitual dishonesty of the PDP.
On the issue of the so-called “sophisticated machines,” Nehikhare conveniently ignores the real concern—these overused and inefficient machines now require billions of naira to function properly. Obaseki may have procured them at a roadside market, but he left behind a financial burden that the present administration must now clean up.
More troubling is Nehikhare’s confused outrage about the sacking of Observer staff. How does he expect those no longer employed to be available at the premises? His logic is as flawed as the policies of the administration he blindly defends.
Instead of this laughable attempt at deflection, Nehikhare should explain why, in his final days, Obaseki found it necessary to allocate a staggering $10 million to a State-owned newspaper that is practically invisible on newspaper stands across the State and country—at a time when critical sectors like education and healthcare remained underfunded.
If Nehikhare wishes to debate the facts, he should do so with accuracy, not fiction. But then again, fiction seems to be the PDP’s favourite tool.
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