A girl who escaped from Boko Haram recounts her experience

Miriam was kidnapped by Boko Haram, forced to marry a fighter and then was raped repeatedly — after managing to escape.

Relaying her experience to a BBC correspondent, the 17 year old said she was held in captivity by Boko Haram for six months in 2014.  She is now pregnant for one of their fighters.

She further revealed that her community had rejected her since she came out of captivity expecting a child. “I really hope it is a girl. I would love her more than any boy. A boy would always be known as the son of Boko Haram.”

Last year, Boko Haram attacked and took over her village. She was taken to a house and kept in a small room with about 40 other women.

Mariam said while she was in captive, at first she resisted any marriage, but eventually agreed after four men were brought out in front of her and had their throats slit. “This will happen to any girl who refuses to marry,” the militants had told her.
After six months, and one failed escape, she saw another chance to run away. Her supposed husband had left her alone, and she seized her moment. She ran and ran and ran, and she didn’t look back until she was home.

“My husband, if he ever sees me again, he will kill me,” Miriam said. “The men in my family are dead, killed by Boko Haram. I am just alone with my mum.”

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