Conflict Archives - Page 3 of 4

I COULD NOT RAISE THE ₦500k RANSOM

After the deadline passed, we lost contact with my husband. Some of his fellow captives returned home a week later, but he didn’t.

I’ve had to start over from scratch, and it’s been a struggle. But I’m determined to rebuild my life and make a living.

It was a Tuesday, around 5:00 am. We were fast asleep in our house when we heard the warning cries, “Boko Haram is coming!”

Kind-hearted individuals gave some of us clothes, but that help is only available to those who were lucky enough to reach town.

Initially, we were afraid of the repentant Boko Haram members, but now we’re one community.

They even came to the market to buy things without harming anyone, so we believed we could coexist with them.

I hope that one day, those I wronged will see that I am no longer the man I used to be.

We were given ₦20,000 and a bag of rice, with promises of ongoing support that unfortunately didn’t materialise.

Some parents told their children to stay away, as if I carried a curse. At school, I sat alone. At home, I heard the whispers.

The daily struggle to survive and take care of my children now feels much harder. I feel like I’ve been abandoned and forgotten.