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A young widow, whose husband was among the 40 individuals killed by terrorists in the Mushere community of Bokkos local government area of Plateau State during an attack in August, has voiced her distress following threats from the assailants to kill her and her three children if she refuses to marry one of their leaders.
The woman, who identified herself simply as Nanbam, shared her harrowing experience with the global NGO “Equipping the Persecuted” on Friday. She explained that ever since the bandits murdered her husband, they have made her life unbearable, persistently calling her to accept the marriage proposal from their leader or face death for herself and her children.
“My name is Nanbam, and I am a widow with three children,” she stated, her voice filled with fear.
“My husband was killed along with 39 others when the bandits invaded our village in August. They surrounded the area and slaughtered our people without mercy. In my husband’s case, they mutilated his body, removing his heart before discarding him into a pond.”
Nanbam mentioned that since her husband’s death, the terrorists have provided her with no respite, as they call her almost daily, threatening to kill her and her children if she continues to refuse to marry their leader.
“They contact me every day, using various phone numbers, threatening to kill me and my children if I persist in rejecting their boss's proposal and do not convert to Islam since I am still a young woman.”
“In fact, on the very day they murdered my husband, they used his phone number to call me and inform me that their leader wanted to marry me. I was horrified by their words after they had just taken his life.”
“I thought they were joking, and I told them that I would never marry someone who killed my husband and the father of my children.”
She explained that she had to move back to her hometown in Mangu, hoping that the bandits would leave her alone, but the calls and threats have continued unabated.
“I relocated to my village in Mangu, where I have been trying to cope with life alongside my children, but they keep calling and intimidating me. My family suggested that I change my SIM card, which I did, and for a while, the calls ceased.”
“I was taken aback when I received a call last week, and the caller claimed they knew my whereabouts. They warned that if I continued to defy them and refused to marry their leader, they would come to the village and kill not only me but also my children and other family members.”
“Right now, my life is at risk, and I do not know where to escape where they cannot find me. I am still grieving the loss of my husband and trying to care for my children alone, but these people will not allow me any peace.”
“I have reported the situation to the police, but they stated there is little they can do since the callers use different numbers, making them untraceable. The police even asked me to provide money to help track the numbers, but I told them I did not have any funds, and they lost interest in the case. I am at a loss for what to do now or where to turn,” Nanbam lamented.
What happened to Nanbam's husband?
Nanbam's husband was killed by terrorists during an attack in their village, along with 39 other individuals. The assailants brutally mutilated his body.
What threats has Nanbam received?
Nanbam has received multiple threats from the terrorists, including demands to marry their leader and convert to Islam, with threats to kill her and her children if she does not comply.
What actions have the police taken?
The police stated they could not do much because the callers use different numbers that are untraceable. They also requested money from Nanbam to assist in tracking the calls, which she could not provide.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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