ICC Note: Two women give an incredible account of their time being held captive by the Boko Haram, an Islamic-based terrorist group in Northern Nigeria. One of the women was told to convert to Islam so that she could be married to a man. This rare inside look into Boko Haram provides a worrisome view of the terror group, made up of many who were known by those who they are now terrorizing.
03/24/2014 Nigeria (BBC) – Two women who were abducted by Boko Haram in north-eastern Nigeria have given a rare account of life as captives of the Islamist militants.
“They asked me if I am Christian or Muslim. I said I am Christian,” said 23-year-old Liatu, as she recalled her ordeal in the hands of Boko Haram.
“On the 11th day [in captivity], they brought a man to me and said that he liked me and I should convert to Islam so that he can marry me.”
She was stopped at a roadblock set up last year by the Islamist militant group. She said any Muslims employed by the government were killed on the spot, as Boko Haram had earlier warned them to leave their work.
She was taken to the insurgents’ base in Borno state’s Sambisa forest, where the bloodshed continued.
“They were slitting people’s throats with knives. Both women and men were killed – especially the men who didn’t agree to fight for them,” she said.
“Those that tried to escape were shot but they hardly ever used their guns to kill. They usually used knives. About 50 people were killed right in front of me.
Liatu says the insurgents were usually tipped off about any imminent attack by the Nigerian army. This allowed them to hide in caves and forests close to the Cameroonian border. The Nigerian army says it is currently hunting down the Boko Haram fighters in this extremely challenging terrain.
Liatu spent 15 days in captivity and refused to eat anything. Then, after being told about the proposed marriage, she made an extremely risky escape.
“One of the captives stood up and said: ‘You only die once. Who is ready to make a run for it?’ Six of us jumped into one of the Boko Haram vehicles in the camp – a Volkswagen Golf.”
“They chased us on motorbikes, shooting at the car until we got close to Bama town. Then they left and we got out of the car to continue on foot as there was a curfew in place. It was only then that I realised the three people on the backseat had all been shot dead.”
‘Slit their throats’
Nineteen-year-old Janet was held for three months. She says that Boko Haram tried to turn her into a killer.
“They went to Gwoza and brought five people to the camp. They started slaughtering them in front of me. Then they ordered me to slit one of their throats. I refused. I told them I couldn’t do it. Then the wife of the leader of the group killed him instead.”
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