One of the survivors of the 14 April 2014 mass abduction at Government Secondary School Chibok, Southern Borno has expressed appreciation to Advocatus Africa (AA) for covering the 12th anniversary of their ordeal in the hands of Boko Haram militants.
“Thank you, Advocatus Africa, for sharing my story,” Rebecca Mallum wrote while reacting to a story published to mark the 12 anniversary of their abduction.
“I would like to kindly clarify that I only visited US for medical treatment through the help of a kind Samaritan woman, and I am currently in Nigeria,” she added.
She made the clarification because there were insinuations that she had now relocated to the United States of America where she is undertaking further studies.
Her commendation came at the heels of AA’s exclusive interview with famous Islamic cleric lawyer, Barrister Zannah Mustapha which detailed how Rebecca was given to him free of charge by the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau during negotiations with the federal government which led to the release of 103 Chibok schoolgirls.
“I have not been able to reconnect with Barrister Zannah Mustapha since the day of my release. Seeing his message brought back deep memories and touched my heart in a special way. He will always remain my second Dad,” she stated.
According to her, “Maybe he had the opportunity to meet some of my sisters who courageously jumped out of the moving truck on the day we were taken. As for me, I have remained in Nigeria and have not had the chance to meet him again.”
Barrister Zannah Mustapha
She also offered prayers for the philantrophic cleric stressing, “May God, in His goodness, richly bless him for all he has done.”
In a related post about an emotional photo with her schoolmates, the victim wrote: “Hauwakulu Ntakai and Co, let’s remember this day and smile again,” adding, “Just a simple day back then with my school mates, sharing moments, laughter, and memories we didn’t know would mean so much today.”
About the image, the survivor noted, “Seeing this picture now reminds me of how far life has taken us and how those little moments in school turned into memories we will always carry.”
With hashtags #Throwback#SchoolDays#Memories#GSSChibok#GoodOldDays plus #BringBackOurGirls#chibokgirls @everyone, the courageous Lady recalled the unforgettable night of their capture.
A 2013 throwback of Rebecca and her fellow students at GSS Chibok
In the post, Rebecca narrated: “Few more hours to 14th April…The day my life was divided into before and after.
“I remember the tears… the confusion… the pain. I remember calling out in my heart, hoping someone would hear me.”
In what seemed like a combination of prose and poetry, the victim provided vivid memories of their experience in the hands of the terrorists.
“It was the day fear found me. The day my voice was silenced. The day I was taken away from everything I knew and loved. That night left a mark on my soul that time can never erase,” she recalled in a mournful litany.
Rebecca Mallum
She pleaded with everyone saying, “Stay with me,” and promised “Tomorrow, I will open my heart a little more…”
Looking into the future with hope and a strong sense of resilience, the Chibok survivor noted that “Before that night, I was just a girl with dreams, ” but assured, “After that night, I became a girl fighting to survive.”
Editor’s Note: All photos are courtesy of Rebecca Mallum.
