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‘I want to go back to my husband in Sambisa Forest’ – Teenager married to Boko Haram leader laments

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10 years ago

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Christian Girl Married Off To Boko Haram Commander Cries As Snake Kills Her Baby, Wants To Return To Husband In Sambisa Forest“I Want To Go Back To My Husband In Sambisa Forest”, She laments.

A teenager identified as Zara who was abducted by Boko Haram but was later rescued by the Nigerian Army has expressed her willingness to join the terror group because of the stigma she is now experiencing after she was reunited with her family.

This is just as Ahmad Salkida, a journalist known to have unfettered access to Boko Haram, said that the government’s decision to close down the Chibok school was a sign of victory for the terror group since their plan was to discourage western education.

However, the story of Zara (not real name), who is a 17-year-old girl, is one among the myriad of young girls, whose lives have been “cut short” by the invasion of the sect in various communities in the North-East.

Recounting her ordeal in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Zara said she was kidnapped by the Boko Haram and then freed by the army, a development that had made her sometimes wishing she were back in the forest (Sambisa) rather than suffering the stigma as a Boko Haram “bride”.

Though unconfirmed if she was one of the missing Chibok schoolgirls, Zara said until now she didn’t have her own social media hashtag, but like thousands of others – free or still captive – she is deeply traumatised.

In telling #ZarasStory, being the first time she was speaking to outsiders about her “terrible experience” a year on, and the pain she still suffers to this day, Zara said: “They gave us a choice – to be married, or to be a slave. I decided to marry.

One of the militants had once told her: “You are only coming to school for prostitution. Boko (Western education) is Haram (forbidden) so what are you doing in school?” But as she continued in her narration, there was so much confusion in her face and in her answers even though she claimed not being a killer, but just a child.

Continuing, Zara said: “The feeling for the forest is strong now, but it will go away.

I will forget the time with Boko Haram, but not yet.” She said she was in love with her husband although she believes she had been brainwashed, a development which made her feel abandoned by her famiily and stigmatised by her community.

While she lamented the precarious state in which she had found herself, it became so obvious that there was little or no difference in her story, except for the fact that child she was soon to bear a child. Collaborating her story, her uncle, Mohamed Umaru, said: “Life was tough and dangerous.

The air force jets bombarded the vast Sambisa Forest where the militants have their camps and from where soldiers rescued her and eventually returned her to her relatives. “The women in our family realised she was three months pregnant. In our family it happens that some of us are Christians and some are Muslims.

She was a Christian before she was kidnapped but the Boko Haram who married her turned her into a Muslim.” On whether to give birth to the unborn baby or not, Umaru said there was a split in the family over what to do and they took a vote as to whether she should abort or keep the child. The majority prevailed and she gave birth to a boy.

“She said her husband’s father is called Usman, so that is how she named the child,” Mohamed said. Immediately “Usman” was born, according to him, the insults began. “People call me a Boko Haram wife and called me a criminal. They didn’t want me near.

They didn’t like me,” Zara said as a tear slowly slipped down her cheek. She now sits inside the small walled compound around her house, afraid to go outside because of the cruel insults of the neighbourhood children – messages of hate learned from their parents.

“They didn’t like my child. When he fell sick nobody would look after him,” she said. To justify this fact, Zara said last weekend, as she slept outside with “Usman” who was just nine months old because of the heat, a snake got into their compound and the boy was killed. She stated that half of the family celebrated what they called God’s will.

“Some were happy that he died. They were happy the blood of Boko Haram had gone from the family,” Zara said. “They said thank God that the kid is dead, that God has answered their prayers. Sometimes she says she wants to go to school and become a doctor and help society, but sometimes, when people insult her, she says she wants to go back to the Sambisa Forest.

“She always talks about her husband who happens to be a Boko Haram commander. She says the guy is nice to her and that he wants to start a new life with her,” Mohamed explained.

Listening to Zara’s story, told quietly with eyes flicking down at the ground, it is hard to imagine anyone going through what she has gone though, let alone a 17-year-old girl.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

Published

7 hours ago

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April 24, 2026

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PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

*PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

 

To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.

 

UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.

 

In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.

 

Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.

 

Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.

 

Thank you.

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Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

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10 hours ago

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April 24, 2026

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Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

 

 

 

Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”

 

Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.

 

The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.

 

This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.

 

Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:

 

“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”

 

As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.

 

With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.

 

⸻

 

About Laffmattazz

 

Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.

 

About First Bank of Nigeria Limited

 

First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.

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MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria

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1 day ago

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April 23, 2026

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FirstBank Set to Launch Tailored Financial Services for Blind and Physically Challenged Customers  

MREIF is Better: FirstBank’s Mortgage Loan Is the Game-Changer for Home Ownership in Nigeria

 

 

 

Anyone who has tried to get a loan to buy a house in Nigeria knows the drill: endless forms, property valuation, and eventual down payment of a minimum 25% or more on the property. Sometimes, interest rates could go as high as 30% per annum, while the typical loan limit is N50 million.

 

 

 

Now, FirstBank is making homeownership more attractive.

 

 

 

FirstBank, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has introduced the MREIF Home Loan. MREIF loan is a game-changer, offering a single-digit interest rate of 9.75% per annum, with a loan amount of up to ₦100 million and a repayment period of up to 20 years. This is perfect for salaried individuals, including Nigerians in the diaspora, looking to purchase homes in approved locations.

 

The MREIF loan stands out with its lower interest rate, higher loan amount, and flexible equity contribution as low as 10%. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking affordable homeownership.

 

 

 

You are one quick decision away from being a landlord.

 

 

 

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a home, FirstBank’s MREIF Home Loan is the smartest route to owning property in Nigeria today. Visit the FirstBank website https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/personal/loans/mreif-home-loan/ to get started.

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