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