BY FAIZA JIBRIN, MARCH 9, 2026 | 4:50PM

Abdussalam was sitting with his family, listening to their discussion about the upcoming 2026 Ramadan fasting.

While it is a time of celebration for Muslims, Abdussalam could not shake off the memories of the period that changed his life.

A burden of fear still lingers, reminding him how fortunate he was to escape death, among six others his age, but with permanent physical and emotional scars.

Abdussalam Musa, 27, lives in the village of Fuma, Hawul LGA, Borno State, with his mother and late father.

Like many of his relatives who had gone on vacation in the village, Abdussalam grew eager to study in the city.

He got the support of his parents to study at Maiduguri Government Day Secondary School, staying under the care of his uncle in Bakasi, Borno State.

Before starting school, Abdussalam trained as a mechanic for almost three years in Maiduguri.

He not only focused on his studies but also worked to support his parents with his fees.

Dreams interrupted

In May 2019, during the last ten days of Ramadan, Abdussalam and his friends set out around 11 p.m. for the Tahajjud prayer.

They arrived early and lay in front of the mosque before more people arrive and began praying around midnight.

'We were about ten asleep when I was woken up by the sounds of Boko Haram surrounding us with guns and cutlasses,' Abdussalam recalled.

About ten of the attackers appeared in civilian clothes, having burgled multiple shops and packed food into wheelbarrows.

'They asked us to escort them with the food to a location unknown to us,' he said.

They argued for about an hour before accepting, and the attackers swore not to harm them.

They began pushing the wheelbarrows, following the armed men.

After crossing a demarcation hole dug by the military between Bakasi and the forest, the attackers tied two people's hands and stabbed them repeatedly in the head and neck until they died.

The seven victims were spaced meters apart, but one managed to escape, though shot in the hand.

'I was too scared to run, thinking the gunshot might kill me,' Abdussalam said.

When it was his turn, he and a friend were tied up.

'I recited many prayers and the kalimatusha-shahada, then was struck repeatedly with a cutlass,' he recalled.

He only regained consciousness later in a hospital.

A family's pain

Jibrin Garba Mshelia, Abdussalam's uncle and a senior security officer in Jafi, received the news early the next morning during Suhur.

He arrived at the scene to find only Abdussalam alive, severely wounded and covered in blood.

'We hurriedly took him to the General Hospital, where they examined him and referred us to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital,' Jibrin said.

Abdussalam's head was badly injured, with brain tissue exposed, and his right finger was cut off.

Despite his condition, they had to wait until the next day for surgery.

The doctor explained that Abdussalam might survive with physical and mental challenges, or he might not make it.

Jibrin had no choice but to accept the reality.

About five doctors operated on Abdussalam for around seven hours.

'They started at 10 a.m. and finished by 5 p.m.,' Jibrin recalled.

They were not allowed to see him until the next day.

Upon hearing the news, Laraba Garba Mshelia, Abdussalam's mother, rushed from the village.

She found her son tied to the bed, calling out 'Mama,' and broke down.

Tears streamed down her face as she stayed beside him all day, whispering prayers and promises of safety.

After about six months in the hospital, Abdussalam was moved to Dala, where Jibrin lived, to avoid further danger.

'We were scared the attackers might come back for him,' he said.

Waking to a new reality

Abdussalam awoke after the surgery to find himself chained to the bed.

'The doctor asked us to show war films to him to help regain his memory,' Khadija, his cousin, recalled.

She added that she never imagined such an event happening in their family.

Healing was slow and painful, and poverty added to the challenges.

His mother was the only constant presence by his side.

Some relatives tried to help but were not financially strong enough to support his care.

During this time, Abdussalam suffered another loss when his father died.

Recovery required more than time, as doctors recommended special meals and consistent medication.

The family could barely afford daily meals, let alone proper nutrition for recovery.

'Despite these hardships, his mother remained determined to help him survive and recover,' Khadija said.

Violence and trauma in Northeast Nigeria

Abdussalam’s story is not unique in Northeastern Nigeria.

Borno State and surrounding areas have faced repeated attacks by armed groups, including Boko Haram.

Abduction, forced captivity, and assault have left survivors with deep physical and emotional scars.

Many struggle to rebuild their lives afterward.

A 2024 Amnesty International report found that survivors often face neglect and limited access to support for healing.

A 2025 HumAngle report documented the long-term impact of insurgency on children and families.

Violence continues, including the 2026 assault in Ngoshe, Borno, where hundreds were abducted.

Abdussalam’s ordeal reflects a regional crisis affecting countless individuals and families.

Resilience in the face of disability

Abdussalam, once fully able-bodied, is now classified as a person with a disability.

This has not reduced his determination.

He relocated to Shafa LGA with his mother under the care of his uncle, Sa’idu Garba.

Despite physical limitations, he completed his WAEC and NECO exams.

Further schooling remains out of reach due to lack of support.

In 2025, he took up farming, harvesting four bags of rice and one bag of soybeans.

'We believe farming will also help his body recover, as he needs exercises,' Malam Jibrin said.

He now runs a kiosk shop to support his mother.

His resilience and resourcefulness show his ability to adapt despite challenges.

Rights and legal protections

Abdussalam’s struggle is not only personal but also a human rights and issue.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), requires inclusive education and rehabilitation support.

Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and guarantees access to education, healthcare, and social inclusion.

The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child requires protection and support for children affected by violence.

Survivors like Abdussalam have the right to education, rehabilitation, and support.

Governments are responsible for ensuring these rights are fulfilled.

Abdussalam survived what many could not, while countless others struggle in silence.

Governments, NGOs, and communities must provide care, education, and livelihoods for survivors.

They should not be left to fight alone.