Renowned security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, has announced a remarkable breakthrough on his official X handle: two humanitarian workers who endured years of harrowing captivity under the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have regained their freedom.
Two women—Ms. Alice Loksha Nggatah, a 42-year-old UNICEF staff member, and Miss Fayina Ali Akilawus, the younger sister of a fallen Nigerian soldier—are finally free after years of trauma and unimaginable suffering at the hands of ISWAP terrorists.
A Tale of Resilience: Alice’s Ordeal
Ms. Alice Loksha Nggatah, a nurse from Hawul Local Government Area in Borno State, was abducted on March 1, 2018, during an ISWAP attack on a UNICEF office in Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area. Alongside her, two female staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were also taken.
Initially held at Tombumma for two days, Alice was later transferred to Kwalleram, where her captivity spanned seven months. Tragically, she was forced into marriage with an ISWAP commander, Abu Umar, resulting in the birth of a son, Mohammed.
Her trials deepened when Abu Umar was killed by his colleagues, leading to her forced remarriage in 2022 to another ISWAP commander, Abu Simak. This second “marriage” further tested her resolve, as Abu Simak was subsequently banished by ISWAP to Dogon Chuku camp near the Diffa axis.
Seizing a daring opportunity, Alice escaped from Dogon Chuku on October 24, 2024. Her harrowing journey through the Diffa axis to Geldam finally culminated in her arrival at the Theatre Command headquarters on October 29, 2024.
Fayina’s Struggle for Survival
Miss Fayina Ali Akilawus’s story is equally heart-wrenching. She was abducted on October 19, 2020, while traveling from Kaduna to Maiduguri to process the death benefits of her brother, Lance Corporal Samuel Andrew, a Nigerian Army soldier.
ISWAP terrorists intercepted Fayina on the Maiduguri-Benisheikh road, marking the beginning of a four-year ordeal. Initially held at Kangarwa for nine months, she was moved to Tombumma, where she endured three years under the command of a notorious terrorist leader, Mohammed Sheikh.
Eventually, Fayina was relocated back to Kangarwa, where she spent an additional year in captivity. Her resilience prevailed when she managed to escape her captors and find her way to freedom.
On November 15, 2024, the two women were publicly presented during a press briefing by security officials. Their stories of courage, survival, and determination against all odds highlight the brutal realities faced by captives of terrorist groups and the resilience of the human spirit.
Their escape is not just a victory for the two survivors but a glimmer of hope for countless others still in captivity, as security forces continue their efforts to combat insurgency and rescue hostages across Nigeria.
The tales of Alice and Fayina remind us of the ongoing struggles faced by victims of insurgency and the need for sustained efforts to protect and rehabilitate those affected. Their survival, escape, and ultimate freedom are testaments to their courage and the determination of security forces to ensure justice and safety for all Nigerians.
PIONEER NEWS 