by Isha Sesay
background of, 33–36
hostage videos of, 264–65, 266, 323–24
mother’s search for, 95–102, 259–67, 320–25
name of, 33–34
Duthiers, Vladimir, 69, 136–37
Early life of author, 62–63, 203–5
Education
of author, 206–7, 209, 272
of author’s mother, 4–5, 7, 202–4, 209
Boko Haram’s opposition for women, 3, 5, 20, 40, 78, 141, 164–65, 167, 201
women and, 4–5, 20, 39–41, 66, 78, 201–2, 324–25, 326
Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), 24, 29–30
Elbagir, Nima, 9–10
Elephants, 117
Enoch, Martha, 260, 261, 262
Enoch, Monica (schoolgirl), 44, 261, 263
Esther (Dorcas’s mother), 33–36
aftermath of April 14 kidnapping and search for daughter Dorcas, 95–102, 259–67, 320–25
April 14 attack and kidnapping, 49–51, 57–60
hostage videos of daughter Dorcas, 264–65, 266, 323–24
Ezekwesili, Obiageli “Oby,” 109–11, 113, 115, 197, 328
“Fake news,” 70, 104
“False narratives,” 70
Farming, 13, 22, 23, 26, 28
Federal Government College attack of 2014, 58
Felicie (Mary’s mother), 26–29, 133
Female autonomy, 20, 22, 185
Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C), 206
Forced conversions, 124–25, 144, 149–50, 159–62, 166–67, 187, 323
Forced marriages, 71, 186–90, 226, 323
Foreign aid, U.S., 19, 351n
Fourah Bay College (FBC), 203–4, 208
Foxx, Jamie, 115
Fulani herdsmen, 91–93, 130–32, 152
Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School, 223
Gaji (Mary’s father), 26–29, 133
Gali, Rakiya Abubakar, 321
Ganna House, 38, 45
Gender issues, 25, 145. See also Education
female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C), 206
forced marriages, 71, 186–90, 226, 323
household chores, 27, 31–32
Okupe’s “sweetheart” remark, 141–42
violence against women, 67–69
Giglio, Louie, 282
Gombe, 307
Grace (schoolgirl), 44
Gwoza, 16, 181–90, 211–13
Hannah (schoolgirl), 44–45
Happy (Dorcas’s sister), 33, 50–51, 60
Haram, 73
Hausa language, 41, 72, 84–85, 91–92, 132, 312–13
Hayek, Salma, 115
Heerden, Dominique van, 236–44
Hijabs, 144, 160, 162–63, 167, 213, 290, 297
Hollande, François, 168
Hostage videos, 144–45, 166–68, 232–33, 264–65, 266, 323–24
Household chores, 27, 31–32
Humanitarianism, 12
Human Rights Watch, 71, 78
Ibn Taymiyyah, 73–74
Ibn Taymiyya Mosque, 72, 74
Ibrahim (Dorcas’s brother), 33, 50–51, 60, 266
Igbo people, 104–5
Illiteracy, 40, 105
Improvised explosive devices (IEDS), 77
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), 17, 223, 226
Iran nuclear deal framework, 19
Iraq War, 15, 18–19, 245
Islam
forced conversions, 124–25, 144, 149–50, 159–62, 163, 166–67, 187, 323
history of Boko Haram, 15–18, 72–79
history of jihadism, 13–20
Qur’anic classes, 160. 163, 175, 185, 282, 283
Salat (Islamic prayers), 126, 128, 160–61, 162–63
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), 7, 16–18, 19–20, 67, 245
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), 17
Izala Society, 75
Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, 76–79
Jerusalem, 332–33
Jetau House, 38, 47
Jida (Boko Haram guard), 154–55, 157–58, 160, 163, 164, 169, 170, 171, 175, 177, 179, 188, 214, 215
Jida (Chibok school watchman), 38, 41, 51, 59, 83, 154
Jihadism, 13–20
Jolie, Angelina, 5
Jollof rice, 155, 270
Jonathan, Goodluck
Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping and, 70, 104, 105, 106, 113–14, 136, 168, 192–95, 234
CNN interview, 142–43
declaration of state of emergency, 78, 104, 106
Nigerian general election of 2015, 194–95
Jonathan, Patience, 193–94
Jones, Andrew, 10, 293–94, 297, 299, 306, 315
Kabbah, Ahmad Tejan, 208–9
Kaka (Chibok school watchman), 39, 41, 42, 51, 59
Kanuri language, 85
Kardashian, Kim, 115
Keys, Alicia, 5, 115
Khorsa, Sifura, 17
Kibaku language, 84, 128–29, 251, 312–13, 331
Konduga, 41, 72
Konduga massacre, 72
“Kookaburra” (song), 65
Kuka, 24, 177–78, 216
Kwambura, Asabe, 46–47, 59
Lagoon Hospital, 281–86, 290–91, 319
Lagos, 26, 103, 135, 138–39, 291–92
Lebanese International School (LIS), 206–7, 272
Likama House, 38
Liman, Hauwa Mohammed, 17
Loksha, Alice, 17
Low Cost Primary School, 30–31
McCarthy, Mike, 288
McKenzie, David, 235–36, 243–44
Maddox, Tony, 289
Magburaka Government Secondary School for Girls, 202–3
Maggie (author’s cousin), 207, 271–72, 274, 275, 277–78
Mahdi, Saudatu, 111
Maiduguri, 15, 35–36, 71, 75–76, 227
Maiyanga, Maryam Ali, 321, 324
Maku, Labaran, 139–41
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, 146
Male chauvinism, 31, 66, 141–42
Mallum (Priscilla’s father), 23–24, 25, 48, 315
Mallum, Rebecca (schoolgirl), 302–4
Mararaba Mubi, 307–8
Martin, Ricky, 115
Marvellous (Dorcas’s sister), 33, 50–51, 60
Mary (schoolgirl)
April 14 attack and kidnapping, 43–44, 54, 61, 71–72
attending Chibok school, 26, 28–29
background of, 26–27
Christian faith of, 28, 119
escape and return home, 129–33
the journey, 118–20, 127, 128–29
Masa, 132
Mel (bodyguard), 2–3, 8, 143–44, 289–94, 297, 299, 309
Missy (Dorcas’s sister), 33, 50–51, 60, 266, 267
Mohammed, Lai, 227, 249
Momoh, Joseph, 207
Monkeys, 118, 124
Morgan, Piers, 114
Moses (Saa’s father), 30–31, 93
Mosul, 18, 245
Muhire, Fabien “Fabs,” 236–44, 245–58
Murtala Muhammed Airport, 288–89
Mustapha, Zannah, 6, 223–26
Mutuah, Naomi, 193–94
Mwoda House, 38, 41, 42, 45, 48
Myanmar, 67
National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 113–14
National Commission for Democracy, 208–9
National Provisional Ruling Party (NPRC), 207–9
Ndirpaya, Saratu Angus, 193–94
New Foundation School (NFS) Chibok Education Initiative, 324–25
Niger, 16, 17, 77, 87, 169
Niger ambush of 2017, 19–20
Nigeria
declaration of state of emergency, 40, 78, 104, 106, 311
education in, 39–41, 78
history of, 104–5
implicit bias against poor, 3–4, 103, 106–7, 138, 201
initial response to Chibok kidnapping in, 103–7
leadership role in West Africa, 1
2, 13
narrative of political hoax of Chibok kidnapping, 103–7, 137–39, 193
U.S. foreign investment in, 13
U.S. strategic importance of, 12–13
Nigeria Department of State Security (DSS), 227–29, 236–44
Nigerian Constitution, 326
Nigerian general election of 2015, 194–95
Nigerian military uniforms, 52, 53, 122, 154
Nkeki, Amina Ali, 232, 234, 245, 321, 324
Nkeki, Mallam, 264, 312–13
Northwest Airlines Flight 253 attack, 14–15
Obama, Michelle, 5, 115, 231
Oil, 13
Ojo, Tayo, 281–86
Okada, 291–92
Okorafor, Anne, 295–96
Okupe, Doyin, 141–42
Okutoyi, Fridah, 235, 243–44
Olukolade, Chris, 69
Omoigui, Brigadier General, 310–11, 312–13
Osinbajo, Oludolapo, 227
Osinbajo, Yemi, 227, 253–54, 256
Otuyalo, Ayo, 277
Paris Agreement, 19
Pathfinders Justice Initiative, 260
Personal hygiene, 165–66, 179–80, 184
Peter (Saa’s brother), 30–31
Peugeot 504, 63
Pinto, Freida, 231
Pogu, Salomi, 326–27
Port Harcourt, 110
Priscilla (schoolgirl)
at Abuja rehabilitation center, 11–12, 320
April 14 attack and kidnapping, 44–48, 51, 52–58, 71–72
attending Chibok school, 23–26, 37–39, 41–42
author’s interview with (August 2018), 328–34
background of, 23–24
at base camp, 152–66, 168–72
acts of defiance, 165–66, 171–72, 173–74
arrival, 152–54
CJTF attempted rescue, 155–56
plotting escape, 169–70
second day, 157–59
third day, 159
bonds of sisterhood, 178–79, 180–81
Christian faith of, 24, 125, 158–59, 170–71, 331–33
forced conversion attempts of, 124–25, 149–50, 159–62, 187
forced marriages and, 186–90
hunger of, 124, 130, 155, 177–78, 216
the journeys, 120–28, 147–50
girls escape during, 125, 147–49
kuka, 24, 177–78
move to second location, 174–81
move to Gwoza, 181–90, 211–13
move to fourth location, 213–15
move to fifth location, 215–16
move to sixth location, 216–17
release of twenty-one girls, 217–30
DSS reception, 227–30
helicopter flight, 226–27
the journey, 220–22
the meet-up, 222–26
reunion with family, 229–30
selection process, 217–20
return to Chibok, 315
Pudza, Yerima, 47–48
Qur’anic classes, 160. 163, 175, 185, 282, 283
Rachel (Priscilla’s mother), 24, 25, 229–30, 315
Racism and racial bias, 6, 69–70
Rahila (schoolgirl), 54–55
Raji, Dr., 281
Rann, Borno, 17
Rape, 67–69
Raqqa, 18
Reba (schoolgirl), 129
Rebecca (Saa’s mother), 30, 31–32, 94
Rotifunk, 4, 202, 210
Rwandan Genocide, 67
Saa (schoolgirl)
April 14 attack and kidnapping, 42–43, 52, 56, 81–94
escape and return home, 88–94
in the monster truck, 84–88
attending Chibok school, 30–31, 32
background of, 30–33
Christian faith of, 30, 83
Salafism, 75
Salat (Islamic prayers), 126, 128, 160–61, 162–63
Sambisa Forest, 117–18
Fulani herdsmen, 91–93, 130–32, 152
Samuel, Rebecca, 261–62
Samuel, Sarah, 261–62
Security risk specialist (SRS), 10, 293–94
Semo, 27–29
September 11 attacks (2001), 13
Sesay, Jane (sister), 61–62, 203
Sesay, Kadiatu Abibatu Conteh (mother), 61–67, 202–6, 269–71
background of, 4, 202, 204
Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping and, 66–67, 145, 233
coma of, 285–86, 290–91, 301–2, 316–17
education of, 4–5, 7, 202–4, 209
encouragement of, 205–6, 287–88
in Los Angeles, 319–20
political life of, 208–10, 271
religious faith of, 204, 273–74
Sierra Leonean coup d’état of 1992, 206–8
stroke of, 7, 272–83, 301–2
surgery of, 281–86
at University of Sierra Leone, 63, 64, 66, 203–4, 208
Sesay, Mamud (father), 61–66, 203, 205
Sesay, Mamud, Jr. (brother), 62, 203, 274, 276, 277–78, 283
Sexual assault, 67–69
Sharia law, 72–73
Sharibu, Leah, 17, 328, 331
Shehu, Garba, 198, 322
Shekau, Abubakar, 16, 18, 76–79, 144, 166, 167
Sheriff, Ali Modu, 73
Shettima, Kashim, 40–41, 100, 169
Shia Muslims, 75
Sierra Leone, 62, 203–4
Sierra Leonean coup d’état of 1992, 206–9
Sierra Leonean general election of 1996, 208–9
Sierra Leonean general election of 2012, 209–10
Sierra Leonean general election of 2018, 271
Sierra Leone Civil War, 209
Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), 209–10
Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board (SLPMB), 62, 205
Soviet-Afghan War, 14
State Department, U.S., 19
State of emergency, 40, 78, 104, 106, 311
Strasser, Valentine, 207–8
Streep, Meryl, 231
Sufism, 75
Suicide bombings, 17, 77, 196, 305
Sultoon, Sarah, 293–94
Summer camps, 205–6
Sunni Muslims, 75
Swails, Brent, 235, 243
Syrian Civil War, 18, 67
Syrian Democratic Forces, 18
Taliban, 20, 114
Tamarind trees, 64, 153–54, 216
Temne language, 204
Thanksgiving, 228–29
Thilaimakalama, 128–29
Tim (cameraman), 8, 9, 294–95, 299, 300, 302, 308
Timberlake, Justin, 115
Tongo Tongo ambush of 2017, 19–20
Trans-Pacific Partnership, 19
Transportation Security Administration, U.S., 15
Trump, Donald
foreign aid and, 19, 351n
presidency of, 12, 19, 319–20
presidential election of 2016, 6, 19, 106, 271
Twenty-one Chibok girls, release of, 217–58
author’s response and CNN coverage, 231–58
DSS stakeout, 237–44
Buhari presentation, 245–58
DSS reception and family reunions, 227–30
helicopter flight, 226–27
the journey, 220–22
the meet-up, 222–26
Mustapha and, 6, 223–26
selection process, 217–20
Swiss negotiations, 6, 223–26
Twenty-one Chibok girls, return to Chibok, 1–12, 286–317
in Abuja, 292–96
arrival in Chibok, 309–12
CNN crew assembly, 288–90, 294–95
family reunions, 7, 11–12, 312–16
interviews with girls, 300–304, 308–9
journey by road to Chibok, 304–9
at Lagos airport, 291–92, 316–17
security arrangements, 10, 293–94
trip plans, 286–87
in Yola, 1–3, 6, 7–10, 11–12, 296–302, 306–7
&n
bsp; Twitter, 136–37
#BringBackOurGirls, 5, 110, 111, 114, 115, 146, 166
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), 110
“Ungoverned spaces,” 13–14, 15
UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), 17, 206
United Nations bombing of 2011, 7, 78
United States presidential election of 2016, 6, 106, 271
Unity Fountain Abuja, 112, 114, 115, 193, 196, 322, 328
University of London, 203
University of Sheffield, 203
University of Sierra Leone, 63, 64, 66, 203–4, 208
USAID (United States Agency for International Development), 19
Usman, Hadiza Bala, 111, 113–14
Uwais, Maryam, 111
Van Heerden, Dominique, 236–44
Violence against women, 67–69
Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), 15
W.E. Can Lead, 270
We Will Rise: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World (documentary), 231
Wildlife, 117–18, 158
Women and education, 4–5, 20, 39–40, 66, 78, 201–2, 324–25, 326
World Bank Africa, 109
World Economic Forum (WEF Africa), 135–36, 137
World War II, 67
Yahaya, Haruna, 327
Yakuba (Dorcas’s father), 33–36
April 14 attack and kidnapping, 49–51, 99
hostage video of daughter Dorcas, 265
search for daughter Dorcas, 101, 150–52, 267
Yanna, Madame, 264, 302, 313–14
Yanna, Rifkatu (schoolgirl), 264, 302, 314
Yar’Adua, Imaru Musa, 142
Yazidis, 67
Yemeni Civil War, 14
Yesufu, Aisha, 111–15, 191–99, 325–27, 328
Yesufu, Aliyyah, 111, 191–92, 193, 328
Yesufu, Amir, 111–12
Yobe State, 16, 17, 40, 58, 71, 309
Yola, 1–3, 6, 7–10, 11–12, 296–302, 306–7
Yoruba people, 104–5
Yousafzai, Malala, 20, 114
Yusuf, Banzana, 327
Yusuf, Mohammed, 72–77, 223
Yusufiyya, 72
Zannah, Lawan, 264
Zuma, Jacob, 12
Photo Section
Shortly after the eighty-two girls were released in May 2017, they were taken to the presidential villa in Abuja to meet President Muhammadu Buhari, amid a sea of media.
Zannah Mustapha.
In the immediate aftermath of their release, the twenty-one girls and their families are presented to the Nigerian president in an elaborate media event.
Courtesy of the author.
Dorcas Yacubu, the youngest girl abducted, still in captivity.
Esther Yacubu.
On July 5, 2017, I made a secret visit to the rehabilitation center housing the twenty-one girls and the newly freed group of eighty-two. This was the first time I’d met the recently released schoolgirls.
Courtesy of the author.
In January 2017, I spent several days interviewing Mary in Lagos, where she was staying for the Christmas holidays with her uncle, aunt, and their small children, all in one room.