Nigerian Nurse Escapes Insurgents After Six Years of Captivity
By Ibrahim Umar
Kanempress News
19th November 2024
In a remarkable tale of resilience and survival, 42-year-old nurse Alice Loksha has escaped from Boko Haram captivity after enduring six harrowing years. Alice was abducted in 2018 while working at a UNICEF office in Kala Balge, Borno State. Throughout her captivity, she was forcibly married twice and subjected to unimaginable trauma. Her escape on October 24, 2024, from the Dogon Chuku camp has drawn widespread attention and raised hopes for others still held by insurgents.
Alice was not alone in her escape; she was accompanied by another abducted woman, Faina Ali, who had been kidnapped in 2020 while traveling to process her late brother’s death benefits. Together, they managed to find their way out of captivity after years of suffering, showcasing their courage and determination.
Alice’s release coincided with a violent clash between Nigerian military forces and the insurgents, during which her captor, identified as her second “husband,” was killed. This incident provided her with the opportunity to flee the Sambisa Forest. Following her escape, she received assistance from the Nigerian military, including food, medical care, and clothing, before being handed over to the Borno State government for further rehabilitation and eventual reintegration with her family.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Alice expressed deep gratitude for her survival, attributing her release to divine intervention and the prayers of many. “It was the will of God and the prayers of everyone that saved me,” she stated, recounting the indescribable horrors she faced. She revealed that her experience in captivity was so profound that she “would not wish it even upon my worst enemy.”
The insurgency has devastated communities across the Lake Chad region and continues to leave a lasting impact. While Borno and neighboring areas are gradually recovering—with improved security and fewer attacks reported—many individuals remain in captivity. Local correspondents indicate that there is no official count of those still held or those who have lost their lives to the insurgents.
Security experts and advocates have called for renewed efforts to rescue those still held captive, emphasizing the urgency of restoring their freedom. The stories of Alice and others who have escaped serve as beacons of hope amid ongoing conflict but underscore the need for sustained action against insurgency in the region.
The Nigerian military and government have been praised for their efforts to curb insurgent activities; however, challenges persist. Communities and leaders alike remain hopeful that lasting peace and freedom for all captives will soon be achieved. Alice Loksha’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of collective efforts to end the scourge of terrorism.
