The Nigerian schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, who was abducted five years ago in Yobe State and held captive ever since, has reportedly entered into a new marriage with another ISWAP commander, following her separation from her initial forced 'husband.'
According to reports from local security sources, as disclosed by Daily Trust, after her purported divorce from Abdulrahman, Leah has allegedly married another ISWAP commander named Ali Abdallah in the Lake Chad area.
Leah Sharibu initially gained international attention as one of the 110 female students of the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, who were abducted on February 19, 2018, by the Boko Haram terrorists. She has since remained in captivity under the custody of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Some years ago, there were reports from various media outlets suggesting that Leah had been married off while in captivity. However, an anonymous security source shed some light on her situation, stating, “Leah was first married to Abdulrahman after she allegedly converted to Islam, and they have two children, both boys who were named after two Boko Haram commanders that were killed."
The exact circumstances of her divorce and remarriage remain unclear. The source further mentioned that Leah received training during her captivity, particularly in providing medical services to injured Boko Haram fighters and women. This is a tactic employed by terrorists in the North East, where captives with expertise in various fields are forced to train their members.
Leah Sharibu's role has reportedly evolved over time, and she now leads the ISWAP medical team in the northern part of the Lake Chad area.
Another source revealed that Leah, her new husband, and other fighters were recently spotted in Dogon Chukwun kangarwa. Her husband holds a position as a commander within ISWAP but is allegedly facing persecution from a Boko Haram commander loyal to Shekau, Malam Bakura.
In recent developments, a large contingent of ISWAP fighters has begun migrating from the area through Guzamala forest, carrying a cache of dangerous weapons, adding to the complexity of the ongoing security situation in the region.
