Chibok schoolgirl abduction survivor debuts Hashtag activism, recalls “trauma to triumph,” 11 years, 11 months later

To mark the 12th anniversary of the tragic mass abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok town in Southern Borno by Boko Haram terrorists, one of the survivors has undertaken hashtag activism, describing the experience as “trauma to triumph.”

Rebecca Mallum, one of the victims of the 14 and 15 April 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction, who described herself on her Facebook page as a “Survivor of Chibok,” assured that “My story inspires, empowers,” while reflecting on their traumatic encounter with the militants 11, 11 months years later.

Rebecca Mallum, one of the victims of the 14 and 15 April 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction. Credit: Rebecca.

12th Anniversary of Chibok Schoolgirls’ Kidnap: Rebecca’s Hashtag activism

On her social media, Rebecca, who debuted hashtag activism to tell her painful story, wrote: #ChibokGirls, #NeverForgetApril14, #BringBackOurGirls, #12YearsRemembered, #SurvivorStory, #VoicesOfSurvivors and #WeAreNotForgotten.

Other hashtags include #StillWaiting, #HopeForTheMissing, #RealStory, #OurPainIsReal, #EndKidnapping,
#SayNoToTerror, #PrayForTheMissing and #JusticeForOurGirls.

Her activism also had #RememberThem, #FromPainToStrength, #SurvivalAndHope, #KeepTheirNamesAlive, #NigeriaRemembers and @everyone.

Rebecca, who was offered freely to negotiator Barrister Zannah Mustapha, wrote on social media, “Today, 14th April, is a date that will forever remain carved in my heart.”

Chief Negotiator, Barrister Zannah Mustapha, on Rebecca’s release

In an exclusive interview published three months ago, the Borno-based Islamic cleric, lawyer, and chief negotiator with Boko Haram told Advocatus Africa that out of the 103 Chibok schoolgirls, he secured the release of Rebecca, who was offered to him by Abubakar Shekau free of charge.

“During the negotiation, the sect’s chief negotiator, the then Amirul Jaish (chief military commander), spoke to me rudely, calling me a pagan. I had to call him to order. When Shekau heard about it, he ordered the commander to apologise to me and he did.

“In fact, he told me to cool down and gave me one of the girls for free. He said, ‘This is free for him. Go and give him.’ I asked, ‘Which girl is that? And he said, ‘Rebecca Malam,’” said he.

Barrister Zannah Mustapha, a Borno-based Islamic cleric, lawyer and chief negotiator who secured the release of 103 abducted Chibok schoolgirls, including Rebecca.

The educationist who has built Future Prowess Islamic Foundation, a school which offers free education for orphans of slain soldiers and Boko Haram in Maiduguri, Borno state also added: “After that, we started negotiations. They said they will release 10, but I pleaded for the release of 10 percent of the girls.

“That was how 20 plus Rebecca, who was handed over to me without payment, were released. I was only a negotiator; in terms of how much was paid, it is between the insurgents and the government.”

Further providing details about the release of the girls, he said, “I went to Sambisa and collected the girls,” assuring that “They were not sexually molested.”

He also disclosed that some of the survivors have moved on and are now abroad, stressing that he keeps in touch with them.

“Some of them are now in the US, including Rebecca. They are studying. They keep in touch with me. When I went to the US, I met them,” he said.

Rebecca during an interview with Arise News. Credit: Rebecca.

“It is the day my life changed in a way I never imagined.”

Meantime, narrating her ordeal, Rebecca stated, “It is the day my life changed in a way I never imagined. A day I went from being a young girl with dreams, laughter, and hope… to someone forced into a dark journey I would never have chosen.”

She shared her struggles and painful experience, attributing her release to divine assistance, which only God offers.

“There are memories I still struggle to speak about. There are nights I still remember with pain I cannot fully explain. And there are moments that only God helped me survive,” the survivor stated.

The victim who was abducted as a teenager underscored that their story is real while detailing that they are healing from it.

“And to the world, I say this with all the strength in me: Our story is real. Our pain is real. Our kidnapping was not fake. We lived it. We felt it. We are still healing from it,” she said.

In a moment that brought about nostalgic feelings about those who could not survive the tragic experience, Rebecca noted, “I survived, but many of my sisters did not. Some we lost forever. Some are still out there, waiting… hoping… fighting to come home.” 

Despite the seeming sentiments of hopelessness occasioned by grief, the victim expressed a strong sense of fellow-feeling and hope in God.

“I speak not just for myself, but for all my sisters whose voices are still silent.”

“I carry my sisters in my heart every single day. I speak not just for myself, but for all my sisters whose voices are still silent, and for those who never made it back home.

“But in all of it, I am here today—standing, breathing, and still holding on to hope. Not by my strength, but by God’s grace,” she assured.

With the words, “Thank you for listening…and please, never stop remembering us,” she also offered up words of appreciation.

“I thank everyone who has remembered us, prayed for us, and stood with us since that painful night. Your love has given many of us strength to keep going,” she said, adding, “As I share my story, I pray it brings healing, awareness, and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light can still be found.”

Out of the 276 girls, 187 have reportedly been either released or returned. 57 of them allegedly jumped out of moving trucks on the night of their abduction and 103 were released between 2016 and 2017 through Barrister Mustapha’s negotiations between the government and the insurgents.

While the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) says about 91 girls are still missing, the Murtala Muhammed Foundation gave the number of uncounted girls as 89 during its event to mark the 12th anniversary of the missing girls.

Editor’s Note: All photos are courtesy of Rebecca Mallum’s Facebook page.