Nigerian Nurse Escapes Islamic State-affiliated Captivity After Six Years
Alice Loksha, a Nigerian nurse, has escaped captivity after six years of being held by Islamic State-affiliated jihadists. Loksha was presented to reporters at a military base in Maiduguri, Nigeria’s northeastern city, along with another woman who was held by ISWAP for two years.
The Kidnapping
Loksha was taken on March 1, 2018, when ISWAP fighters staged a deadly raid on a humanitarian camp housing 60,000 displaced people. Three more UNICEF health workers were killed in the attack, along with eight Nigerian soldiers. Loksha was taken along with two Nigerian midwives, Saifura Khorsa and Hauwa Liman, who were working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC workers were later murdered and grisly videos of their deaths were released by their captors.
Forced Marriages
While in captivity, Loksha was forced to "marry" two separate ISWAP commanders and had a child from the first marriage. The child’s father, a jihadist commander identified as "Abu Omar", was killed in a gunfight with Nigerian troops two years ago. After Abu Omar’s death, Loksha was forced into a new marriage with another ISWAP commander, Abu Simak, who was later banished by his comrades for an unknown reason.
Escape and Rescuation
On October 24 this year, Loksha managed to escape her captors from a camp in Dogon Chukwu island in Lake Chad, Nigerian army Major General Kenneth Chigbu told reporters. Five days later, she contacted reached Nigerian troops in the town of Geidam in neighbouring Yobe State. Loksha has been married and already had two children before her capture. A UN source in the region told AFP that they are trying to resolve "complications" surrounding her future.
The Conflict
The 15-year-old conflict between ISWAP and other groups has killed over 40,000 people and displaced around two million in Nigeria’s northeast. The violence has also spilled into neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, prompting a military coalition to fight the militants. ISWAP split from the notorious Nigerian insurgents Boko Haram in 2016 over ideological differences and has since become the dominant jihadist group in the region.
Conclusion
Alice Loksha’s escape is a beacon of hope in a region plagued by violence and conflict. The Nigerian government and international agencies must continue to work together to rescue other captives and bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Alice Loksha escape?
A: Loksha escaped from a camp in Dogon Chukwu island in Lake Chad on October 24, 2023, and contacted Nigerian troops in Geidam in neighboring Yobe State.
Q: How long was Loksha held captive?
A: Loksha was held captive for six years, from March 2018 to October 2023.
Q: How many ISWAP captives are still held in captivity?
A: There are numerous ISWAP captives still held in captivity, including women and children forced into sex slavery and combat roles.
Q: What is being done to prevent future kidnappings?
A: The Nigerian government and international agencies are working to strengthen security measures and support local communities to prevent future kidnappings and protect human rights.