A Decade of Despair: The Continued Suffering of Chibok's Daughters

Maiduguri, Nigeria -A decade after the shocking abduction of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok, survivors like Lisu, a pseudonym used to protect her identity, still grapple with the harsh realities of life post-captivity. Despite escaping the clutches of the militant Islamist group and enduring the harsh conditions of the Sambisa forest, where she bore two children in captivity, Lisu's current plight under state care paints a grim picture of neglect and constraint.

In an exclusive, covert interview, Lisu shared her disillusionment with the government's rehabilitation program. She revealed that the freedom and care promised seem far less than what she now experiences. "I regret coming back," she confessed, describing her life in a group accommodation for escapees as worse than her time in captivity.

"The authorities treat us very poorly," Lisu lamented. She described a life where basic necessities like food and soap are scarce, her movements are heavily surveilled, and she faces regular verbal abuses from staff. This treatment starkly contrasts with the government's narrative, which insists on adequate provision and freedom restricted only for safety concerns.

This sentiment is echoed by Amina Ali, the first Chibok girl to escape Boko Haram back in 2016. Returning to Chibok, Amina is struck by the superficial changes to the once-destroyed school, now rebuilt, yet the town still suffers from insecurity and neglect. "It’s all just a façade," she said, pointing out the unchanged, perilous reality outside the school gates.

Amina’s journey back to normalcy has been fraught with broken promises. After a high-profile return and assurances from the highest levels of government, she now lives in poverty in Yola, sharing a cramped room and basic amenities with her daughter. "The president promised to change our lives for the better... that promise was never fulfilled," she shared, her voice heavy with disappointment.

The state's response to these allegations remains dismissive. The Borno state government maintains that all measures are for the safety and welfare of the survivors, a claim that many, including Lisu and Amina, fervently dispute.

As the Chibok community marks this grim anniversary, the narrative of return and rehabilitation for many of these young women remains as contested and painful as their initial abduction. Their ongoing struggle underscores the complex, often disappointing journey of recovery and the deep scars that such traumatic experiences leave behind.