How Shekau ran Boko Haram military wing – Survivors

Mariam Dauda and Hauwa Joseph, two of the 276 students Boko Haram fighters abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, eight years ago, have given thumbnail insights into the workings of the jihadist extremists group.

The two young women escaped from their captors, after the fighters to whom they were forcefully married died in a military onslaught.

They had both lived in the Sambisa Forest with the jihadist terrorists until their escape.

In her account, Mariam confirmed Shekau, the book haram leader, had died, but said he lived along side she and her terrorist husband in an area called Ukaba fortress, within the Sambisa Forest.

She also said the terrorists turned them into slaves, because they refused to convert to Islam.

“We were forced to serve as slaves to Boko Haram because we refused to accept Islam and marry one of the Boko Haram members,” Mary said.

“I was forced to marry him (Usman, a boko haram commander) seven years ago, and I’ve been with him until he was killed during a military raid last year,” she said.

“I knew and saw Shekau several times because he lived with us in Ukuba village inside Sambisa forest, but he is now dead,” she said.

On her part, Hauwa said she never saw the late Shekau in person but watched him on a computer always dishing instructions to the fighters.

“I have never seen him face to face but I used to watch him on a laptop giving instruction to the fighters.” Hauwa said.

Both girls said the killings of Boko Haram fighters around the Sambisa forest area and Mandara Mountains made their escape possible.