In brief
Alice Loksha Ngaddah, held captive by Boko Haram for six years, finally escaped with her son and another hostage, crediting her faith for survival. Her story sheds light on the ordeal many face in conflict zones.
Alice Loksha Ngaddah endured a harrowing experience during her six years in captivity under the militants of Boko Haram. Kidnapped in 2018 while serving as a nurse in northeastern Nigeria, she found herself thrust into a dark world of fear and uncertainty. Her rescue story takes a dramatic turn when, in October, an audacious plan to escape materialized.As she reminisced about her plight, Ms. Loksha shared how she and her three-year-old son—whom she had given birth to during her harrowing ordeal—and another captive, Fayina Ali Akilawus, took their chance to flee at dusk. They navigated treacherous terrain, traveling by donkey, ox cart, boat, and car for over three days, all the while evading their captors.Their fate took a hopeful turn when they finally reached a military outpost in northeastern Nigeria, where Ms. Loksha recalls the euphoric moment of shouting praises to Jesus for their newfound freedom. Her story resonates deeply, as she was among a long list of individuals forcibly taken by Boko Haram, which has wrecked havoc in the region for years.Ms. Loksha's journey reveals the risks she faced as a humanitarian worker in conflict zones. She had taken the job with UNICEF at a clinic in Rann, Nigeria, despite the evident dangers, to support her mother suffering from dementia.Reflecting on her escape, she emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope, demonstrating how faith provided her the strength to endure during the darkest days. Her narrative highlights the broader struggle faced by countless others impacted by Boko Haram’s reign of terror, drawing attention to the urgent need for ongoing support and awareness for survivors of such brutal kidnappings.
