Boko Haram: I was the only one left in the town, they came to me asking why I stayed—According to Victim, Halima Falmata Remarks.

Halima Falmata, a woman from Dikua in Borno State, has shared her heartfelt and moving story about why she chose to stay in her town in spite of the brutal attacks and occupation by Boko Haram insurgents. Her NTA-broadcast testimony provides a close-up view of the difficult, frequently agonizing choices that civilians in conflict areas must make.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>

Falmata shared her experience of staying in her hometown after Boko Haram militants seized control of the area. The militants, noticing that she was one of the few who chose not to flee, approached her to question her decision. Armed and in control of the town, they seemed perplexed by her resolve to stay behind, especially as many others had already fled to escape the violence.

“I was the only one left in the town, and they came to me asking why I stayed,” Falmata recalled. “I told them that those who fled did so to escape suffering, but did that stop them from facing the severe hardships as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps? I prefer to endure the hardship in my matrimonial home than to flee and suffer it elsewhere.”

According to Vanguard report, her words reflect the inner conflict many face when forced to choose between the safety of fleeing to an unknown future and the hardship of staying behind in a familiar but increasingly dangerous environment. For Falmata, the uncertainty of life as an IDP—living in overcrowded camps with little to no resources—was a more daunting prospect than staying in her own home, despite the constant threat of violence.

Falmata’s decision underscores the strength and resilience of people living in conflict-affected areas. It highlights a harsh reality for those in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram’s insurgency has displaced millions, forcing individuals to make life-altering decisions with limited options.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>