Recently rescued captives of the outlawed terror group, Boko
Haram, have revealed that members of the sect members treated them like animals
as they lost all their rights and dignity as women during their captivity in
the Boko Haram camps.
According to a report by Leadership, Some of the women who
were rescued from Bama axis of Borno state were prevented from joining their
fleeing neighbours by the attacking Boko Haram terrorists because they also
used them as troopers in times of attacks.
“I have no words to explain what
my children and I went through when Boko Haram took over our village and held
us there for over four months. Everyday I cried for myself and my children; but
the Boko Haram people….they had no mercy at all…..” said Fanna Ali, a mother of four who
is in her mid 20.
“We came from Usmanti village”,
she said. “Boko Haram had prevented us from leaving when we heard that other
residents of various communities around us had left. We were cut off from
everything including medical care and good food. We only depended on what was
permitted or given to us by Boko Haram terrorists. It was just some weeks ago
that the Boko Haram had to flee as the soldiers came. That was how we were
lucky to escape too. I have four children for my husband…but I can’t remember
their actual birthdays, because I have recently been finding it difficult
remembering things like dates. Some of my children were always having running
stomachs; some always cried of body pains. I still have back pains and I am
here waiting to be given some medications,” she added.
Another rescued victim, Zara Modu, a woman in her early 30s
said “Boko Haram have been
troubling us in Kijelli so we had to find a way to escape to Konduga through
the help of the soldiers.”
One pregnant woman in her early 30s said even if she was to
deliver her baby, she would be in fresh dilemma of trying to identify who the
real father was.
“Maybe God has destined that I
will end up being pregnant for people I don’t know”, said the woman in tears.
“I lost my husband to Boko Haram and now I am pregnant for people I never
knew…they used women as if we were animals and they gave us crumbs or scraps
when they cared to feed us from what they ate…” the newspaper quoted her.
Another rescued victim who was interviewed, Yagana Yurahim,
said “After killing our men and
forcing some of our young boys to go, some of them were asked to remain behind
and watch over the women and children”, said Yagana, who is in her early 40s.
“Some of the women that attempted
running were killed, while others were lucky to escape unhurt. We were all
scared of running because the terrorists had warned that they would kill us if
we attempt running. They would gather us in a house and one of them would be
forcing us to learn how read Quran”.
“Our luck came when the soldiers
came attacking. They all abandoned us and fled; that was how the soldiers came
in and took us to Maiduguri”.
The Nigerian Army has accused the elite in the Northeast
region especially Borno state, on been bent on having the activities of Boko Haram insurgents prolonged for their selfish gains.
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