Getty
One of the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram extremists two years ago has been found with a baby and reunited with her family.
Nineteen-year-old Amina was found wandering with her four-month-old baby and her Boko Haram husband on Wednesday on the edges of the remote Sambisa Forest, near Nigera’s border with Cameroon. She has told authorities that the other girls remain in captivity, except for six who have died.
There are conflicting reports of how Amina was found, with some media outlets reporting that she was discovered by hunters and taken to her family. Others say she was rescued by Nigerian troops.
Amina was one of more than 200 girls who was kidnapped in April 2014. Their disappearance sparked a global campaign advocating for their release.
Millions of people sent tweets demanding Boko Haram to #bringbackour girls, including Michelle Obama and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Bradley Cooper and Harrison Ford.
The leader of the civilian joint task force (JTF), Aboku Gaji, described the moment the girl was found to the BBC:
“She was brought to my house. I instantly recognised her, and insisted we should take her to her parents. When we arrived at the house… I asked the mother to come and identify someone. The moment she saw her, she shouted her name: ‘Amina, Amina!’ She gave her the biggest hug ever, as if they were going to roll on the ground, we had to stabilise them.
The mother called the attention of other relations to come out and see what is happening. The girl started comforting the mother, saying: ‘Please Mum, take it easy, relax. I never thought I would ever see you again, wipe your tears. God has made it possible for us to see each other again.'”
Amina and her daughter are in medical care. Her husband has been named as Mohammed Hayatu and has been arrested.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
