Boko Haram had been rapidly increasing attacks in Northern Nigeria. Sadly young girls and boys have now become a target. Girls are used for tactical reasons and a form of punishment to them and their communities. And hundreds of young boys have been

Boko Haram had been rapidly increasing attacks in Northern Nigeria. Sadly young girls and boys have now become a target. Girls are used for tactical reasons and a form of punishment to them and their communities. And hundreds of young boys have been taken to use as fighters, and indoctrinate them in Boko Haram ideologies. Up to 500 girls have been abducted since as far back 2009 from the north-eastern Borno and Yobe states. Boys and girls have been abducted while, travelling on the roads, attending school, working on farms, and from their homes during attacks on villages. They are put through psychological abuse, forced labour, forced marriage, forced to convert to Islam, and become victims of sexual violence and rape. Boko Haram are taking young people on operations and teaching them to carry ammunitions and eventually to kill. A recentdevelopment is young girls being sent out as suicide bombers. There are now reports coming out from escaped abductees that the Chibok girls still in captivity are now notorious fighters.

Some have been fortunate to escape however many still remain captive. The Chibok attack on April 14, 2014 was the largest case of abductions, with 276 girls taken, 57 managed to escape. It brought the attention of the world on Nigeria, and to the atrocities carried out by Boko Haram. Escapees of the Chibok attack have received some counselling and educational scholarships however there remains a serious lack of support for girls and boys abducted before and after Chibok. They urgently need post trauma counselling as they struggle with the memories, and many no longer attend school fearing they will be kidnapped again. Many of the girls that escaped are now stigmatised, and often relocate to new towns as they ostracized by their neighbours.

It is not uncommon for abuses against children and youth to go unprosecuted in Nigeria. A code of silence prevents justice taking place, robbing them of their rights as the victim. More often than not youth bare the brunt of conflict.

PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA - JUNE 05: Many of the youth that were abducted by Boko Haram, had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.

PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA - JUNE 05: Many of the youth that were abducted by Boko Haram, had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.

Markus, 28 years I was involved in a bad road accident in 2012, my leg was severely injured and doctors wanted to amputate it. I spent the next 18 months in and out of hospitals across the country trying to find a surgeon that could properly fix my

Markus, 28 years

I was involved in a bad road accident in 2012, my leg was severely injured and doctors wanted to amputate it. I spent the next 18 months in and out of hospitals across the country trying to find a surgeon that could properly fix my leg. In January 2014 I was on my way to the hospital again after Christmas celebrations. While travelling Boko Haram had blocked the road, they stopped the car. I was abducted that day along with an old pastor from the south. The Boko Haram members knew we were Christians, they decided to keep us in the camp to bring us out of the darkness, and teach us the Koran. A few boko Haram members that could speak English would teach us scriptures every day. We wanted to escape, but the pastor was elderly and I could not run because I am permanently on crutches. Sometimes new captives would be brought to the camp, and killed right in front of us. Every month they would discuss whether they would release us, but the never did. The pastor and I would fast 3-5 days sometimes. There was one guard who was very vigilante through the night, so we knew we could not sneak past him. We decided we had to wait for rainy season, so that no one could trace our steps. On the 1st of October 2014 a very heavy rain came in the afternoon. We knew this was our moment so that evening we made our escape. It was a 5 day journey through the bush to get to safety. I was in captive for nine months, my family did not believe I was alive until they saw me face to face. I can no longer stay in my hometown for security reasons.

Hannah We were kept in a room all together, the room next to us was full of ammunition’s. Outside Boko Haram members would be praying on their matts. We escaped down several paths through the bush, the bush was scary.

Hannah

We were kept in a room all together, the room next to us was full of ammunition’s. Outside Boko Haram members would be praying on their matts. We escaped down several paths through the bush, the bush was scary.

Blessing, 19 years. At about 8pm on the 30th of September 2013 Boko Haram came into my brothers room and shot him. They took his wife and put a gun to her head, they asked for all the ladies in the house to come outside. They took me away with my s

Blessing, 19 years.

At about 8pm on the 30th of September 2013 Boko Haram came into my brothers room and shot him. They took his wife and put a gun to her head, they asked for all the ladies in the house to come outside. They took me away with my sister and sister in law. When we reached the Boko Haram camp they asked me to denounce Christ and accept Islam, if not they will slaughter me. Out of fear I agreed and then they gave me a hijab to wear. After converting I was then made to married a insurgent called Abul. I suffered so much during the three weeks in that camp. While Boko Haram were outside gather ammunition’s a wife of one commander showed me how to escape. I ran away to safety with two other girls.

Lydia, 1994 I was traveling in a public bus after paying my school fees on the 7th May 2013, while on the road a Boko haram member stopped and entered the vehicle. Everyone was telling me to say I’m a Muslim, otherwise I will be killed. We entered

Lydia, 1994

I was traveling in a public bus after paying my school fees on the 7th May 2013, while on the road a Boko haram member stopped and entered the vehicle. Everyone was telling me to say I’m a Muslim, otherwise I will be killed. We entered a Boko Haram camp in the Sambisa forest, I stayed there for three days and each night we would sleep under big trees. I saw young boys in the camp carrying guns, some even as young as 10 years. I didn’t eat any food for three days, I was thinking it could be human flesh, because there are rumors that Boko Haram eat human flesh, so I would throw the food on the ground each day and pretend I ate. Eventually some insurgents asked which village I was from, and realized they knew my fathers brother. So they decided to let me go, and dropped me off at a main road, they made me wear hijab and gave me 2000 naira. My family are now taking refuge in Cameroon, but I am not staying with them. I burnt my hijab after I escaped, I have dreams of Shekau in the night, coming to kill me.

Martha, !4 years On the 7th of Spetember 2014 while I was traveling to a wedding I was captured by Boko Haram. They killed my brother in law and my sisters fiancé. They carried me and my two sisters to their camp in Gulak. I stayed there for four m

Martha, !4 years

On the 7th of Spetember 2014 while I was traveling to a wedding I was captured by Boko Haram. They killed my brother in law and my sisters fiancé. They carried me and my two sisters to their camp in Gulak. I stayed there for four months. I suffered greatly during this time, sometimes there was not enough food and I hardly bathed. They told me not to walk around outside, and when I did they would beat me, they told me not to talk, and I would talk, so they would beat me, they told me not to sing, I would sing and they would beat me. They taught me how to use a gun, and I went on two operations with them where I would carry ammunition’s, but I could never bring myself to kill anyone. I met some of the Chibok girls, and they had been taught to kill people. They tried to force my sister to kill an old man, when she refused they shot her instead, I watched people being slaughtered like ants .They were planning to marry me to one man. A week before the wedding I escaped. I had tried to escape four times but failed every time. An old woman in the camp who spoke my tribal language explained directions of how to escape through the bush. So that night while pretending to go to the toilet, and sneaked away in the night with another girl. I still think about the experience all the time, when I sing in my tribal language I forget, but if I sit quietly I remember everything and will just cry.

Markus Everywhere we were surrounded by Boko Haram camps on every side. During the first night of our escape their were two large snakes that were two metres from us. We prayed that night the snakes would not disturb us and they just stayed where w

Markus

Everywhere we were surrounded by Boko Haram camps on every side. During the first night of our escape their were two large snakes that were two metres from us. We prayed that night the snakes would not disturb us and they just stayed where we were. We would stay under the thick canopy of the trees to hide from military helicopters seeing the camp. Me and the pastor spent all of our days praying and planning for an escape.

Plateaua State Nigeria All of the young people that were abducted had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.

Plateaua State Nigeria

All of the young people that were abducted had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.

Hannah, 15 years Boko Haram stormed into my house on the night of the 28th of September 2013. I was in a deep sleep, they asked my sister, mother and I to come outside. My father was not around at the time. They asked our names and upon hearing our

Hannah, 15 years

Boko Haram stormed into my house on the night of the 28th of September 2013. I was in a deep sleep, they asked my sister, mother and I to come outside. My father was not around at the time. They asked our names and upon hearing our Christian names they decided to take me away. I am the daughter of a pastor, and at the time I was only 14 years old. When I left the house with them, they burnt a church and then journeyed for two days to reach their camp in the Gwoza hills, it was a long and difficult journey. Once I reached the camp I was forced to join Islam, given a new name and they married to one man. I managed to escape one night with two other girls. I am still struggling with the memories but I am trying to focus and to continue with school and become a business woman.

Martha, !4 years On the 7th of Spetember 2014 while I was travelling to a wedding I was captured by Boko Haram. They killed my brother in law and my sisters fiancé. They carried me and my two sisters to their camp in Gulak. I stayed there for four

Martha, !4 years

On the 7th of Spetember 2014 while I was travelling to a wedding I was captured by Boko Haram. They killed my brother in law and my sisters fiancé. They carried me and my two sisters to their camp in Gulak. I stayed there for four months. I suffered greatly during this time, sometimes there was not enough food and I hardly bathed. They told me not to walk around outside, and when I did they would beat me, they told me not to talk, and I would talk, so they would beat me, they told me not to sing, I would sing and they would beat me. They taught me how to use a gun, and I went on two operations with them where I would carry ammunition’s, but I could never bring myself to kill anyone. I met some of the Chibok girls, and they had been taught to kill people. They tried to force my sister to kill an old man, when she refused they shot her instead, I watched people being slaughtered like ants .They were planning to marry me to one man. A week before the wedding I escaped. I had tried to escape four times but failed every time. An old woman in the camp who spoke my tribal language explained directions of how to escape through the bush. So that night while pretending to go to the toilet, and sneaked away in the night with another girl. I still think about the experience all the time, when I sing in my tribal language I forget, but if I sit quietly I remember everything and will just cry.

Mairama We stayed in some small hut. Everyday there were plenty of insurgents in the camp carry guns. Eventually one day three of us escaped together.

Mairama

We stayed in some small hut. Everyday there were plenty of insurgents in the camp carry guns. Eventually one day three of us escaped together.

Lydia, 1994 I was travelling in a public bus after paying my school fees on the 7th May 2013, while on the road a Boko haram member stopped and entered the vehicle. Everyone was telling me to say I’m a Muslim, otherwise I will be killed. We entered

Lydia, 1994

I was travelling in a public bus after paying my school fees on the 7th May 2013, while on the road a Boko haram member stopped and entered the vehicle. Everyone was telling me to say I’m a Muslim, otherwise I will be killed. We entered a Boko Haram camp in the Sambisa forest, I stayed there for three days and each night we would sleep under big trees. I saw young boys in the camp carrying guns, some even as young as 10 years. I ddn’t eat any food for three days, I was thinking it could be human flesh, because there are rumors that Boko Haram eat human flesh, so I would throw the food on the ground each day and pretend I ate. Eventually some insurgents asked which village I was from, and realized they knew my fathers brother. So they decided to let me go, and dropped me off at a main road, they made me wear hijab and gave me 2000 naira. My family are now taking refuge in Cameroon, but I am not staying with them. I burnt my hijab after I escaped, I have dreams of Shekau in the night, coming to kill me.

Ladi I was abducted from my hometown of Gwoza in 2013 while farming. I spent three months in a Boko Haram camp. They were about to slaughter me by slitting my throat. One of them begged me not to resist, so I relented and converted to Islam. I read

Ladi

I was abducted from my hometown of Gwoza in 2013 while farming. I spent three months in a Boko Haram camp. They were about to slaughter me by slitting my throat. One of them begged me not to resist, so I relented and converted to Islam. I read from a Koran, and they put a veil on me. They made my bride price to be 15,000 naira $75. One day I preteneded to have stomach pains, so an old lady escorted me to a nearby hospital. Once we were in the town, I threatened to turn her into police so she ran and left me there. That is how I escaped. I am not in school anymore and I still remember everything from my experience which is very upsetting.

Plateaua State Nigeria All of the young people that were abducted had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.

Plateaua State Nigeria

All of the young people that were abducted had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.

Sarah, 20 years old On May 7th 2013 I was traveling in a public bus with my friend. A Boko Haram member stopped us on the road, he entered the vehicle. We also realized the driver of the bus was a Boko Haram member. I was in the camp for three days

Sarah, 20 years old

On May 7th 2013 I was traveling in a public bus with my friend. A Boko Haram member stopped us on the road, he entered the vehicle. We also realized the driver of the bus was a Boko Haram member. I was in the camp for three days until they released us.

Hauwa, 15 years In 2009 during a crisis in Maiduguri city my friend and I were taken by my mothers friend who lived nearby. The woman and her husband were Boko Haram members. The wife locked us inside her house and wanted us to become her ‘Muslim d

Hauwa, 15 years

In 2009 during a crisis in Maiduguri city my friend and I were taken by my mothers friend who lived nearby. The woman and her husband were Boko Haram members. The wife locked us inside her house and wanted us to become her ‘Muslim daughters’. The woman tried to force me to convert to Islam and change my name, when I refused I would be severely beaten. After one week passing, while the woman was in the house, my friend held a brick and hit the lady in the head, and then we grabbed the house key and locked the woman inside. I ran away back to my house only to discover my father had just been killed during the crisis. The ladies husband impregnated my friend that was with me, so how she has a child born to a Boko Haram member. I no longer live in Maiduguri and I miss my family. I have to work hard so that eventually I can support my mother and my siblings.

Hauwa, 15 years In 2009 during a crisis in Maiduguri city my friend and I were taken by my mothers friend who lived nearby. The woman and her husband were Boko Haram members. The wife locked us inside her house and wanted us to become her ‘Muslim d

Hauwa, 15 years

In 2009 during a crisis in Maiduguri city my friend and I were taken by my mothers friend who lived nearby. The woman and her husband were Boko Haram members. The wife locked us inside her house and wanted us to become her ‘Muslim daughters’. The woman tried to force me to convert to Islam and change my name, when I refused I would be severely beaten. After one week passing, while the woman was in the house, my friend held a brick and hit the lady in the head, and then we grabbed the house key and locked the woman inside. I ran away back to my house only to discover my father had just been killed during the crisis. The ladies husband impregnated my friend that was with me, so how she has a child born to a Boko Haram member. I no longer live in Maiduguri and I miss my family. I have to work hard so that eventually I can support my mother and my siblings.

Hauwa Me and my friend were tied up in my mothers friends house, where she would try and force us to convert, and beat us when we refuse. One day when the lady was out, my friend sneaked into the other room and got the key for the front door. When

Hauwa

Me and my friend were tied up in my mothers friends house, where she would try and force us to convert, and beat us when we refuse. One day when the lady was out, my friend sneaked into the other room and got the key for the front door. When the lady came back she broke free, and hit the woman on the head with a brick. The lady feel down, we quickly ran out of the house, and locked her inside the house with the key.

Hannah "Boko Haram stormed into my house on the night of the 28th of September 2013. I was in a deep sleep, they asked my sister, mother and I to come outside. My father was not around at the time. They asked our names and upon hearing our Christia

Hannah

"Boko Haram stormed into my house on the night of the 28th of September 2013. I was in a deep sleep, they asked my sister, mother and I to come outside. My father was not around at the time. They asked our names and upon hearing our Christian names they decided to take me away. I am the daughter of a pastor, and at the time I was only 14 years old. When I left the house with them, they burnt a church and then journeyed for two days to reach their camp in the Gwoza hills, it was a long and difficult journey. Once I reached the camp I was forced to join Islam, given a new name and they married to one man. I managed to escape one night with two other girls. I am still struggling with the memories but I am trying to focus and to continue with school and become a business woman.

Boko Haram had been rapidly increasing attacks in Northern Nigeria. Sadly young girls and boys have now become a target. Girls are used for tactical reasons and a form of punishment to them and their communities. And hundreds of young boys have been
PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA - JUNE 05: Many of the youth that were abducted by Boko Haram, had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.
Markus, 28 years I was involved in a bad road accident in 2012, my leg was severely injured and doctors wanted to amputate it. I spent the next 18 months in and out of hospitals across the country trying to find a surgeon that could properly fix my
Hannah We were kept in a room all together, the room next to us was full of ammunition’s. Outside Boko Haram members would be praying on their matts. We escaped down several paths through the bush, the bush was scary.
Blessing, 19 years. At about 8pm on the 30th of September 2013 Boko Haram came into my brothers room and shot him. They took his wife and put a gun to her head, they asked for all the ladies in the house to come outside. They took me away with my s
Lydia, 1994 I was traveling in a public bus after paying my school fees on the 7th May 2013, while on the road a Boko haram member stopped and entered the vehicle. Everyone was telling me to say I’m a Muslim, otherwise I will be killed. We entered
Martha, !4 years On the 7th of Spetember 2014 while I was traveling to a wedding I was captured by Boko Haram. They killed my brother in law and my sisters fiancé. They carried me and my two sisters to their camp in Gulak. I stayed there for four m
Markus Everywhere we were surrounded by Boko Haram camps on every side. During the first night of our escape their were two large snakes that were two metres from us. We prayed that night the snakes would not disturb us and they just stayed where w
Plateaua State Nigeria All of the young people that were abducted had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.
Hannah, 15 years Boko Haram stormed into my house on the night of the 28th of September 2013. I was in a deep sleep, they asked my sister, mother and I to come outside. My father was not around at the time. They asked our names and upon hearing our
Martha, !4 years On the 7th of Spetember 2014 while I was travelling to a wedding I was captured by Boko Haram. They killed my brother in law and my sisters fiancé. They carried me and my two sisters to their camp in Gulak. I stayed there for four
Mairama We stayed in some small hut. Everyday there were plenty of insurgents in the camp carry guns. Eventually one day three of us escaped together.
Lydia, 1994 I was travelling in a public bus after paying my school fees on the 7th May 2013, while on the road a Boko haram member stopped and entered the vehicle. Everyone was telling me to say I’m a Muslim, otherwise I will be killed. We entered
Ladi I was abducted from my hometown of Gwoza in 2013 while farming. I spent three months in a Boko Haram camp. They were about to slaughter me by slitting my throat. One of them begged me not to resist, so I relented and converted to Islam. I read
Plateaua State Nigeria All of the young people that were abducted had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.
Sarah, 20 years old On May 7th 2013 I was traveling in a public bus with my friend. A Boko Haram member stopped us on the road, he entered the vehicle. We also realized the driver of the bus was a Boko Haram member. I was in the camp for three days
Hauwa, 15 years In 2009 during a crisis in Maiduguri city my friend and I were taken by my mothers friend who lived nearby. The woman and her husband were Boko Haram members. The wife locked us inside her house and wanted us to become her ‘Muslim d
Hauwa, 15 years In 2009 during a crisis in Maiduguri city my friend and I were taken by my mothers friend who lived nearby. The woman and her husband were Boko Haram members. The wife locked us inside her house and wanted us to become her ‘Muslim d
Hauwa Me and my friend were tied up in my mothers friends house, where she would try and force us to convert, and beat us when we refuse. One day when the lady was out, my friend sneaked into the other room and got the key for the front door. When
Hannah "Boko Haram stormed into my house on the night of the 28th of September 2013. I was in a deep sleep, they asked my sister, mother and I to come outside. My father was not around at the time. They asked our names and upon hearing our Christia

Boko Haram had been rapidly increasing attacks in Northern Nigeria. Sadly young girls and boys have now become a target. Girls are used for tactical reasons and a form of punishment to them and their communities. And hundreds of young boys have been taken to use as fighters, and indoctrinate them in Boko Haram ideologies. Up to 500 girls have been abducted since as far back 2009 from the north-eastern Borno and Yobe states. Boys and girls have been abducted while, travelling on the roads, attending school, working on farms, and from their homes during attacks on villages. They are put through psychological abuse, forced labour, forced marriage, forced to convert to Islam, and become victims of sexual violence and rape. Boko Haram are taking young people on operations and teaching them to carry ammunitions and eventually to kill. A recentdevelopment is young girls being sent out as suicide bombers. There are now reports coming out from escaped abductees that the Chibok girls still in captivity are now notorious fighters.

Some have been fortunate to escape however many still remain captive. The Chibok attack on April 14, 2014 was the largest case of abductions, with 276 girls taken, 57 managed to escape. It brought the attention of the world on Nigeria, and to the atrocities carried out by Boko Haram. Escapees of the Chibok attack have received some counselling and educational scholarships however there remains a serious lack of support for girls and boys abducted before and after Chibok. They urgently need post trauma counselling as they struggle with the memories, and many no longer attend school fearing they will be kidnapped again. Many of the girls that escaped are now stigmatised, and often relocate to new towns as they ostracized by their neighbours.

It is not uncommon for abuses against children and youth to go unprosecuted in Nigeria. A code of silence prevents justice taking place, robbing them of their rights as the victim. More often than not youth bare the brunt of conflict.

PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA - JUNE 05: Many of the youth that were abducted by Boko Haram, had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.

Markus, 28 years

I was involved in a bad road accident in 2012, my leg was severely injured and doctors wanted to amputate it. I spent the next 18 months in and out of hospitals across the country trying to find a surgeon that could properly fix my leg. In January 2014 I was on my way to the hospital again after Christmas celebrations. While travelling Boko Haram had blocked the road, they stopped the car. I was abducted that day along with an old pastor from the south. The Boko Haram members knew we were Christians, they decided to keep us in the camp to bring us out of the darkness, and teach us the Koran. A few boko Haram members that could speak English would teach us scriptures every day. We wanted to escape, but the pastor was elderly and I could not run because I am permanently on crutches. Sometimes new captives would be brought to the camp, and killed right in front of us. Every month they would discuss whether they would release us, but the never did. The pastor and I would fast 3-5 days sometimes. There was one guard who was very vigilante through the night, so we knew we could not sneak past him. We decided we had to wait for rainy season, so that no one could trace our steps. On the 1st of October 2014 a very heavy rain came in the afternoon. We knew this was our moment so that evening we made our escape. It was a 5 day journey through the bush to get to safety. I was in captive for nine months, my family did not believe I was alive until they saw me face to face. I can no longer stay in my hometown for security reasons.

Hannah

We were kept in a room all together, the room next to us was full of ammunition’s. Outside Boko Haram members would be praying on their matts. We escaped down several paths through the bush, the bush was scary.

Blessing, 19 years.

At about 8pm on the 30th of September 2013 Boko Haram came into my brothers room and shot him. They took his wife and put a gun to her head, they asked for all the ladies in the house to come outside. They took me away with my sister and sister in law. When we reached the Boko Haram camp they asked me to denounce Christ and accept Islam, if not they will slaughter me. Out of fear I agreed and then they gave me a hijab to wear. After converting I was then made to married a insurgent called Abul. I suffered so much during the three weeks in that camp. While Boko Haram were outside gather ammunition’s a wife of one commander showed me how to escape. I ran away to safety with two other girls.

Lydia, 1994

I was traveling in a public bus after paying my school fees on the 7th May 2013, while on the road a Boko haram member stopped and entered the vehicle. Everyone was telling me to say I’m a Muslim, otherwise I will be killed. We entered a Boko Haram camp in the Sambisa forest, I stayed there for three days and each night we would sleep under big trees. I saw young boys in the camp carrying guns, some even as young as 10 years. I didn’t eat any food for three days, I was thinking it could be human flesh, because there are rumors that Boko Haram eat human flesh, so I would throw the food on the ground each day and pretend I ate. Eventually some insurgents asked which village I was from, and realized they knew my fathers brother. So they decided to let me go, and dropped me off at a main road, they made me wear hijab and gave me 2000 naira. My family are now taking refuge in Cameroon, but I am not staying with them. I burnt my hijab after I escaped, I have dreams of Shekau in the night, coming to kill me.

Martha, !4 years

On the 7th of Spetember 2014 while I was traveling to a wedding I was captured by Boko Haram. They killed my brother in law and my sisters fiancé. They carried me and my two sisters to their camp in Gulak. I stayed there for four months. I suffered greatly during this time, sometimes there was not enough food and I hardly bathed. They told me not to walk around outside, and when I did they would beat me, they told me not to talk, and I would talk, so they would beat me, they told me not to sing, I would sing and they would beat me. They taught me how to use a gun, and I went on two operations with them where I would carry ammunition’s, but I could never bring myself to kill anyone. I met some of the Chibok girls, and they had been taught to kill people. They tried to force my sister to kill an old man, when she refused they shot her instead, I watched people being slaughtered like ants .They were planning to marry me to one man. A week before the wedding I escaped. I had tried to escape four times but failed every time. An old woman in the camp who spoke my tribal language explained directions of how to escape through the bush. So that night while pretending to go to the toilet, and sneaked away in the night with another girl. I still think about the experience all the time, when I sing in my tribal language I forget, but if I sit quietly I remember everything and will just cry.

Markus

Everywhere we were surrounded by Boko Haram camps on every side. During the first night of our escape their were two large snakes that were two metres from us. We prayed that night the snakes would not disturb us and they just stayed where we were. We would stay under the thick canopy of the trees to hide from military helicopters seeing the camp. Me and the pastor spent all of our days praying and planning for an escape.

Plateaua State Nigeria

All of the young people that were abducted had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.

Hannah, 15 years

Boko Haram stormed into my house on the night of the 28th of September 2013. I was in a deep sleep, they asked my sister, mother and I to come outside. My father was not around at the time. They asked our names and upon hearing our Christian names they decided to take me away. I am the daughter of a pastor, and at the time I was only 14 years old. When I left the house with them, they burnt a church and then journeyed for two days to reach their camp in the Gwoza hills, it was a long and difficult journey. Once I reached the camp I was forced to join Islam, given a new name and they married to one man. I managed to escape one night with two other girls. I am still struggling with the memories but I am trying to focus and to continue with school and become a business woman.

Martha, !4 years

On the 7th of Spetember 2014 while I was travelling to a wedding I was captured by Boko Haram. They killed my brother in law and my sisters fiancé. They carried me and my two sisters to their camp in Gulak. I stayed there for four months. I suffered greatly during this time, sometimes there was not enough food and I hardly bathed. They told me not to walk around outside, and when I did they would beat me, they told me not to talk, and I would talk, so they would beat me, they told me not to sing, I would sing and they would beat me. They taught me how to use a gun, and I went on two operations with them where I would carry ammunition’s, but I could never bring myself to kill anyone. I met some of the Chibok girls, and they had been taught to kill people. They tried to force my sister to kill an old man, when she refused they shot her instead, I watched people being slaughtered like ants .They were planning to marry me to one man. A week before the wedding I escaped. I had tried to escape four times but failed every time. An old woman in the camp who spoke my tribal language explained directions of how to escape through the bush. So that night while pretending to go to the toilet, and sneaked away in the night with another girl. I still think about the experience all the time, when I sing in my tribal language I forget, but if I sit quietly I remember everything and will just cry.

Mairama

We stayed in some small hut. Everyday there were plenty of insurgents in the camp carry guns. Eventually one day three of us escaped together.

Lydia, 1994

I was travelling in a public bus after paying my school fees on the 7th May 2013, while on the road a Boko haram member stopped and entered the vehicle. Everyone was telling me to say I’m a Muslim, otherwise I will be killed. We entered a Boko Haram camp in the Sambisa forest, I stayed there for three days and each night we would sleep under big trees. I saw young boys in the camp carrying guns, some even as young as 10 years. I ddn’t eat any food for three days, I was thinking it could be human flesh, because there are rumors that Boko Haram eat human flesh, so I would throw the food on the ground each day and pretend I ate. Eventually some insurgents asked which village I was from, and realized they knew my fathers brother. So they decided to let me go, and dropped me off at a main road, they made me wear hijab and gave me 2000 naira. My family are now taking refuge in Cameroon, but I am not staying with them. I burnt my hijab after I escaped, I have dreams of Shekau in the night, coming to kill me.

Ladi

I was abducted from my hometown of Gwoza in 2013 while farming. I spent three months in a Boko Haram camp. They were about to slaughter me by slitting my throat. One of them begged me not to resist, so I relented and converted to Islam. I read from a Koran, and they put a veil on me. They made my bride price to be 15,000 naira $75. One day I preteneded to have stomach pains, so an old lady escorted me to a nearby hospital. Once we were in the town, I threatened to turn her into police so she ran and left me there. That is how I escaped. I am not in school anymore and I still remember everything from my experience which is very upsetting.

Plateaua State Nigeria

All of the young people that were abducted had to move to new cities for security reasons. Plateau State is one of the new homes where some have been re-located to.

Sarah, 20 years old

On May 7th 2013 I was traveling in a public bus with my friend. A Boko Haram member stopped us on the road, he entered the vehicle. We also realized the driver of the bus was a Boko Haram member. I was in the camp for three days until they released us.

Hauwa, 15 years

In 2009 during a crisis in Maiduguri city my friend and I were taken by my mothers friend who lived nearby. The woman and her husband were Boko Haram members. The wife locked us inside her house and wanted us to become her ‘Muslim daughters’. The woman tried to force me to convert to Islam and change my name, when I refused I would be severely beaten. After one week passing, while the woman was in the house, my friend held a brick and hit the lady in the head, and then we grabbed the house key and locked the woman inside. I ran away back to my house only to discover my father had just been killed during the crisis. The ladies husband impregnated my friend that was with me, so how she has a child born to a Boko Haram member. I no longer live in Maiduguri and I miss my family. I have to work hard so that eventually I can support my mother and my siblings.

Hauwa, 15 years

In 2009 during a crisis in Maiduguri city my friend and I were taken by my mothers friend who lived nearby. The woman and her husband were Boko Haram members. The wife locked us inside her house and wanted us to become her ‘Muslim daughters’. The woman tried to force me to convert to Islam and change my name, when I refused I would be severely beaten. After one week passing, while the woman was in the house, my friend held a brick and hit the lady in the head, and then we grabbed the house key and locked the woman inside. I ran away back to my house only to discover my father had just been killed during the crisis. The ladies husband impregnated my friend that was with me, so how she has a child born to a Boko Haram member. I no longer live in Maiduguri and I miss my family. I have to work hard so that eventually I can support my mother and my siblings.

Hauwa

Me and my friend were tied up in my mothers friends house, where she would try and force us to convert, and beat us when we refuse. One day when the lady was out, my friend sneaked into the other room and got the key for the front door. When the lady came back she broke free, and hit the woman on the head with a brick. The lady feel down, we quickly ran out of the house, and locked her inside the house with the key.

Hannah

"Boko Haram stormed into my house on the night of the 28th of September 2013. I was in a deep sleep, they asked my sister, mother and I to come outside. My father was not around at the time. They asked our names and upon hearing our Christian names they decided to take me away. I am the daughter of a pastor, and at the time I was only 14 years old. When I left the house with them, they burnt a church and then journeyed for two days to reach their camp in the Gwoza hills, it was a long and difficult journey. Once I reached the camp I was forced to join Islam, given a new name and they married to one man. I managed to escape one night with two other girls. I am still struggling with the memories but I am trying to focus and to continue with school and become a business woman.

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