Toba Owojaiye Reporting
Leah Sharibu, the Christian girl abducted by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants, has reportedly entered a new marriage after ending her forced union with her first ‘husband.’
Leah was taken captive alongside 100 schoolmates from Government Girls Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State, by ISWAP on February 19, 2018. Following her separation from Abdulrahman, her initial ‘spouse,’ Leah has wedded another ISWAP commander known as Ali Abdallah in the Lake Chad region.
According to security sources, Leah’s first marriage was to Abdulrahman, during which she supposedly converted to Islam and bore two sons named after deceased Boko Haram leaders. The reasons behind her divorce remains unclear. Subsequently, she married Ali Abdallah. Leah’s captivity experience led to her being trained in medical services, and she now leads the ISWAP medical team in the northern Lake Chad area.
Furthermore, recent sightings indicate that Leah, her new husband, and other fighters were spotted at Dogon Chukwun kangarwa. Although her husband is an ISWAP commander, they face threats from a Boko Haram commander loyal to Shekau, named Malam Bakura. Currently, a significant contingent of ISWAP fighters is reported to be migrating through the Guzamala forest, with a cache of dangerous weapons, posing a concerning security issue.