boko Haram survivors in Nigeria still ⁣lack support, says Amnesty

⁤ ⁢ Updated June 10, 2025
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One ⁣year after Amnesty International launched its⁢ #EmpowerOurGirls ⁤campaign and issued a report, ‍girls and young women who escaped Boko⁢ Haram captivity in northeast Nigeria continue to be neglected by the country’s authorities, the association said.

Amnesty International’s June 2024 report, “Help us build our lives,” documented the struggles of these girls and young women to heal and reintegrate into society. Now, survivors ⁢report the government still fails to provide adequate reintegration services, leaving them unable to support themselves ⁣or their families.

“It is unacceptable that the Nigerian authorities still cannot ⁣ensure these girls ‍and young women are able to rebuild their lives in safety,”⁤ said Isa ⁤Sanusi,Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

Sanusi added that the moment of escape⁣ from Boko Haram should mark the start of reintegration, but⁣ many⁣ are left to fend for themselves. Victims of Boko⁤ Haram abuses, including forced marriage and ‍trafficking, remain largely invisible to government authorities.

We call on President ⁤bola Tinubu ⁣and the Nigerian government to take urgent action to support survivors of Boko Haram.

Isa sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria

In ‍Febuary 2025, Amnesty International interviewed seven recent escapees, forcibly⁤ married to Boko Haram members, and ⁣one survivor who lived⁢ in⁤ Boko Haram-controlled territory. Seven were between 12 and ⁢17 years old; the other, a⁣ 22-year-old woman, was forcibly married as a child.

None of‍ the survivors were offered tailored reintegration services or informed of available counseling, vocational training, or other support. in seven cases, child survivors encountering security forces were not transferred to civilian authorities for appropriate care, violating a 2022 handover ⁢protocol between the Nigerian government and ‍the United Nations.

According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child,Nigeria should promote the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of children who are ‍victims of armed conflict. the African Children’s‍ Charter and the Maputo Protocol also oblige ⁤Nigeria⁢ to protect girls and⁢ women against early and forced marriage.

“We need support for shelter and food”

Three survivors from Banki in Borno State⁣ – two aged 17, and AN*, aged 13 – escaped together in December 2024 and now live together. All three said they have not engaged with any security or local government officials⁤ since escaping Boko Haram captivity. They are among the many Boko Haram survivors ⁢struggling to rebuild their lives.

LC*, 17, was forcibly married around age seven or eight and ‍remarried after her boko haram husband was killed. Her two children died of hunger⁢ three ⁣years ago in ⁣the bush. She said she has received no government assistance and is unaware of⁤ any support programs.

AN* was forcibly married but not remarried after‍ her husband’s death. Describing her escape,she recounted failed attempts and floggings by ⁣boko Haram. Her message to the government: “We need support for ⁢shelter and food.”

GP*,13,from Mafa in Borno State,was forcibly married after Boko Haram killed her father.After escaping⁤ her husband, soldiers took her to ‍prison, providing‍ food and water.⁤ Transferred to a camp, she reunited with her mother.Now, she said, “[We receive] no support from anybody since‍ we came out of the bush… We go to the bush, get some firewood and⁣ sell it.”

NB*, 12,⁢ also forcibly married, ⁣escaped and lives with her mother and relatives in Mafa. After being questioned by soldiers about her age, she was not informed of available services and⁣ has received no government or NGO assistance.

SC*, 16, said soldiers helped reunite her with family. Living with them in an internally displaced persons camp, she⁤ said, “They [the soldiers] took me to Mafa and tried to go and search for⁢ my parents…⁢ The soldiers went to the camps‍ and⁣ searched for community leaders and⁢ said ⁣who I was looking for.And from ⁤there they located [my parents].”

Background

The conflict between Boko Haram and Nigerian forces has affected⁣ millions ⁢in northeast ⁣Nigeria for over a decade, causing a humanitarian crisis and internal displacement. All sides have committed⁣ war crimes, possible crimes against humanity, and human rights violations, disproportionately impacting women, children, and older persons.

Boko Haram has recently escalated‍ attacks and ‍abductions, further⁣ displacing resettled people. Amnesty International has repeatedly documented crimes ⁢under ⁤international law⁤ and serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law ‍committed by Boko Haram.

Over the past year, Amnesty International has⁣ continued advocacy, campaigning, and monitoring in the ⁢region. On‍ December 2, 2024, Amnesty International submitted a complaint to the International⁢ Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber ⁣on behalf of victims’ networks, requesting an end to the ICC Prosecutor’s⁣ delay⁣ in investigating war crimes and ⁢crimes against humanity in Nigeria.The need for support ⁣for Boko Haram survivors remains dire.

What’s next

Amnesty International will continue ‍to monitor the situation and advocate for⁣ increased support and protection⁣ for Boko Haram survivors in Nigeria, urging the government to fulfill its obligations under international law.