BY ABDULKADIR M. LAWAN,

Amnesty International has released a report on the experiences of girls and young women who survived Boko Haram captivity in NorthEast Nigeria.

The report, titled 'Help us build our lives': Girl survivors of Boko Haram and military abuses in North East Nigeria, was issued to newsmen by the organization during a press conference on Thursday at City Star, Maiduguri.

The report reveals that girls and young women endured years of torture, rape, forced marriage, and other forms of gender-based violence at the hands of Boko Haram. The report alleged that after escaping, many then experienced further abuse in Nigerian military detention.

'They were subjected to sexual slavery, and many were forced to bear children with their captors. After escaping, some fell into the hands of the military, only to face further atrocities, leaving them trapped in a cycle of violence, moving from one nightmare to another,' said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

The report is based on 126 interviews, including 82 with survivors, conducted between 2019 and 2024. It highlights the need for the Nigerian Government and its international partners to provide tailored reintegration services for these girls and young women, including access to healthcare, education, and vocational training.

According to the report, over 40 survivors, girls and young women, were interviewed as part of the report. The report highlighted that 'thirteen girls and young women interviewed by Amnesty International were forcibly married to Boko-Haram multiple times: seven of them twice and six of them three times.'

The report also quoted one of the survivors, who recounted her experience: 'Two among us disagreed. They were a bit older. They killed the two girls that disagreed…all kneeling down, they just killed them immediately with a gun, when we saw, we all agreed.'

Another survivor, identified as SB, shared her experience of being forced into marriage multiple times: 'When my husband died, they [Boko Haram] took me again and they brought me to Madagali. They kept us there and locked us. We stayed a while. Soldiers started attacking. When we reached Sambisa Forest, they decided to get me married after mourning. I said no, I want to go back home. They said they will kill me if I do not get married. So, I agreed … I stayed married for almost two years.'

Amnesty International has filed a case in the International Criminal Court on behalf of the survivors against Boko Haram and the military.

The organization is also calling for increased support for the survivors, including access to education, healthcare, and vocational training.

Fatima Diallo, a regional official of Amnesty International, emphasized the importance of journalists and activists in amplifying the stories of the survivors and advocating for their rights.

'Their stories matter, they want us to be there for them, to be their voices,' she said.

The report highlights the need for the Nigerian government and international partners to provide tailored reintegration services for the survivors, including access to mental health and psychosocial support services.