National Geographic USA - 03.2020

decision.” Two dozen students settled into the

university’s campus, encircled by a high wall and

secured by guards in crisp, red uniforms. They

attended the New Foundation School (NFS),

a tailor-made program to prepare the young

women from Chibok for college.

OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, none of the missing

students were released. Rumors of nightmare

conditions in captivity—forced marriages,

enslavement, starvation—were omnipresent.

Then, in May 2016, Chibok student Amina Ali

escaped from the forest with her baby. Five

months later, Nigeria’s government reportedly

offered Boko Haram cash and prisoners for the

release of 21 girls. Severely malnourished, they

were taken to a hospital in Abuja, the capital, to

be assessed by a psychiatrist, physician, sports

therapist, imam, and social worker. They said

the militants had given them a choice: Convert

to Islam and marry, or become slaves. Most chose

slavery, the media reported.

In May 2017, 82 more girls were released. Their

tearful reunion with their parents was broadcast

around the world. In the U.S., Patience Bulus

watched news footage, scanning the names

of those rescued. Her heart leaped when she

landed on Esther Joshua.

Patience recalled the day Esther transferred

to Chibok from another school. Patience had

sized her up and decided she’d make a perfect

sidekick: They were from the same tribe and in

their next-to-last year in school. Soon they were

inseparable and planned to spend part of the

summer of 2014 together at Esther’s house.

When Patience learned that her 103 recently

freed classmates would join those studying at

AUN, she texted a friend: When Esther arrives

in Yola, tell her to call me.

In September 2017, AUN went from housing

and educating 24 Chibok students to 130. The

young women settled into a quiet existence of

studying and praying. Esther was intimidated

by the busy campus. In Chibok, there had been

no laptops or yoga or karaoke nights. In Yola,

On Sundays, the young
women attend a service
at AUN. At the end
of the academic year,
Pastor Raymond
Obindu urged them
to return and resume

their studies in the fall.

In this region, less

than half of all girls

attend primary school.

It’s not uncommon

for students to leave

school to get married.

CHIBOK SCHOOLGIRLS 93