Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog |
- Photos: Buhari meets with Nigerian community in London
- Kim Kardashian thinks Kanye is still obsessed with Amber Rose
- More Lagosians react to #Runlagos City Marathon Flash Mob
- Jaden Smith carries his girlfriend on the streets of NY (photos)
- ‘No pending extradition case against Senator Kashamu' - Aide
- K Michelle claps back at fan who called her an ugly child
- Stay healthy for #RunLagos! Redcare HMO to provide medics and ambulances at the Lagos City Marathon
- Iara Oshiomhole describes divorce rumours as "warped imagination of the purveyors of lies"
- Ini Edo offers another glance into her closet...as she confirms her political appointment
- Naija loves messaging apps: Whatsapp, Instagram, BBM and the next killer app is…?
- Woman crashes her own funeral, horrifying her husband, who had paid to have her killed
- N5million Star Million Prize For GCGT Season 6 Winner
- Waje features on CNN African Voices
- Fathia Balogun releases stunning new photos to celebrate birthday
- A Nigerian migrant in Germany says he is being stopped by Police 'on every corner'
- "You can't win with the woman a man can't leave alone" - Toke Makinwa tweets
- Michael Jackson's daughter Paris reveals she's struggling with addiction
- Nitro - The new rock city
- Epic response to a comment...
- Rob Kardashian joins new girlfriend Blac Chyna on set of sexy photoshoot
- Photo: 5 months pregnant woman who went missing in Abuja has been found
- Khloe K shares throwback pics of the Kardashian girls from 2008
- #TheSpecialOne Party comes to Benin!
- Dear LIB readers, please interpret this interesting photo narrative
- Rescued Nigerian girl says she would rather be with the Boko Haram militant who kidnapped and impregnated her
| Photos: Buhari meets with Nigerian community in London Posted: 05 Feb 2016 12:42 PM PST |
| Kim Kardashian thinks Kanye is still obsessed with Amber Rose Posted: 05 Feb 2016 12:27 PM PST  Kanye West's epic rant about Amber Rose didn't just infuriate Wiz Khalifa. RadarOnline.com has learned his wife Kim Kardashian went ballistic and kicked him out of the house over his public meltdown! When West went off on Khalifa, calling his baby mama Rose a "stripper," Yeezus was slapped down by his ex's X-rated response. She wrote, "are u mad I'm not around to play in ur a**hole anymore?"Kim is absolutely mortified by Amber's post," Life & Style magazine reported. "She said she's never felt so humiliated in her life." And so, the report claims, the 35-year-old mother of West's two children went to extremes to punish her husband. "She was so angry, she wouldn't let Kanye into the house," a source told the magazine. "She changed all the codes and asked security not to let him through the gate." "She was fuming with Kanye for antagonizing Amber. She said she's had enough. She believes every word of what Amber wrote. All she wanted to do was crawl under the covers and never show her face again." Rose previously said that West cheated on her with Kardashian, but North West's mother doesn't believe her hubby is over his ex, according to the report. "Kim accused Kanye of reveling in the drama of feuding with his ex and of still being obsessed with her," the source said. "Kim told Kanye he should be ashamed of himself for what he's done to her and the family." And this ultimately might be the end of her third marriage, the source said. "Kim is so enraged, she's considering divorce," the source said. "She said she can't take much more. This latest saga has just proved to her how destructive Kanye is. She's convinced that if she stays with him, he'll take her down with him." |
| More Lagosians react to #Runlagos City Marathon Flash Mob Posted: 05 Feb 2016 12:13 PM PST And it gets even more fun & exciting with the Lagos City Marathon Flash Mob; enjoy more exciting moments in the video above... |
| Jaden Smith carries his girlfriend on the streets of NY (photos) Posted: 05 Feb 2016 12:03 PM PST   |
| ‘No pending extradition case against Senator Kashamu' - Aide Posted: 05 Feb 2016 11:47 AM PST  Our attention has been drawn to yet another mischievous report credited to the Public Relations Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, in The Punch newspaper of today, Friday, February 5, 2016, purporting that Senator Buruji Kashamu is still facing some extradition proceedings. Nothing could be farther from the facts and truth.Notwithstanding the misleading impression being created that the agency intends to allow the rule of law prevail, we are aware that its ex-Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Giade, who is now the Special Assistant to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on Narcotics is set to arm-twist the NDLEA to resort to yet another extra-judicial move. The misuse of the word "extradition" by NDLEA is a euphemism for the illegal rendition they actually are planning. Let it be reiterated that Senator Kashamu is not worried about extradition proceedings being brought against him in accordance with Nigerian Laws. He knows that can never succeed in view of the decisions of the English courts that have exonerated him and has confirmed by several judgments of competent Nigerian Courts. What Senator Kashamu is complaining about is the plan to abduct and ship him out of Nigerian without resort to due process or the Rule of Law, an illegal venture that is known as "rendition" not extradition as the NDLEA misrepresents to the public. For the avoidance of any doubt, extradition proceedings have already been brought against Senator Kashamu by the previous Attorney General of the Federation in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/479/2015 and was dismissed on the 1st of July, 2015. The AGF has not appealed against that dismissal. In its judgment in that extradition proceedings the court expressly held that, "This suit is hereby dismissed…The Applicant (i.e the AGF), being an office created by the Constitution (see Section 150 (1) of the Constitution 1999 As Amended) has a greater obligation, by its act and conduct, in the context of its very extensive constitutional powers…to be seen to be law abiding and to give maximum and unqualified respect to every judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, regardless of its opinion as to whether the Court was right or wrong until such decisions are set aside by the appellate Courts. To do otherwise is to further deepen an incipient culture of disobedience of Court's orders and of unmitigated acts of unbridled impunity to judicial process even by the citizenry and the proverbial 'common man' whose last hope lies in the Judiciary." It is highly mischievous for anyone to claim that "there is a pending appeal by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Justice to extradite Kashamu to the US for him to face trial." The appeals in question are in relation to other judgments and orders that restrained them from taking any steps against Senator Kashamu on the basis of the same allegations that he had been exonerated from. Mr. Ofoyeju and his co-travellers should acquaint themselves with the basic facts and details of a case before making pronouncements that could further cast the NDLEA as a lawless organisation in the eyes of right thinking members of the society, and among the comity of nations. As we have often said, based on the Extradition Treaty between Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States, two British courts heard extradition proceedings against Senator Kashamu at the instance of the US authorities and found that it was a case of "mistaken identity", and released him. The same NDLEA that Mr. Ofoyeju claims to be speaking for had sent two of its top officials – the then Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Mr. Femi Oloruntoba and one Umaru Dan Asabe (former Director of Operations) – to London to give evidence (confirming that Senator Kashamu was not the person sought for by the U.S. authorities) with the approval of the then Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation. It is on the basis of these two British judgments that several Nigerian courts have held that the NDLEA cannot take any further steps against Senator Kashamu. And when they did, in spite of the subsisting orders and judgments of the court, the action was dismissed. It is noteworthy that in the same report, the current Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Abubakar Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation has given indication that his office would not be a party to any illegality. His position as expressed by his media aide is in tandem with global best practices in the comity of nations where any country that lacks regard for the rule of law is seen as a lawless society. There can be no extradition without the courts only illegality. Finally, our advice to Mr. Ofoyeju and Alhaji Giade is that they should leave Senator Kashamu alone. He does not have any extradition case to answer. A dismissal is a bar to any further action before the court and it is therefore clear that when NDLEA says "extradition" what it actually means is "rendition" since it cannot go back to any Nigerian court after the dismissal. NDLEA should be called to order to avoid being used to perpetrate illegality, political vendetta and blackmail. Signed Austin Oniyokor Media Adviser to Senator Buruji Kashamu |
| K Michelle claps back at fan who called her an ugly child Posted: 05 Feb 2016 11:39 AM PST |
| Stay healthy for #RunLagos! Redcare HMO to provide medics and ambulances at the Lagos City Marathon Posted: 05 Feb 2016 11:27 AM PST   Redcare HMO, the one stop shop for local and international, qualitative and affordable healthcare services tailored for individuals, families, companies and communities will be giving health assistance to runners at the marathon.  "We want to encourage Lagosians to participate in the marathon as most health challenges that happen during a marathon race are not very severe - usually strains, sprains or dehydration, which are readily preventable," said Dr.TundeSalako, Managing Director, Redcare HMO. "We are excited to be partnering with Access Bank on the Lagos City Marathon. We will advise anyone who has any health concerns to visit a medical doctor before taking part in the marathon, or talk to any of our specialists at the marathon for advice," he concluded. Redcare boasts of an innovative App with features such as live chat with medical professionals, daily health tips, weekly articles, hospital locations, and more. Download Redcare App HERE: http://bit.ly/1PgW7hf |
| Iara Oshiomhole describes divorce rumours as "warped imagination of the purveyors of lies" Posted: 05 Feb 2016 11:21 AM PST  A few online platforms published a report this week claiming Adams Oshiomhole's new wife Iara Oshiomhole had filed for divorce after complaining that he was too fetish. This report has been rubbished in a statement released today. Iara's spokesperson described the report "as warped imagination of the purveyors of lies" insisting that Iara had no reason to leave her husband as their marriage is strong. The press statement which was issued by Executive Director, Media and Public Affairs, Governor's Office, John Mayaki, states that the Edo First Lady has been busy holding meetings & brainstorming on how to better the lots of the less-privileged Women and Children in the state through her pet project.
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| Ini Edo offers another glance into her closet...as she confirms her political appointment Posted: 05 Feb 2016 10:32 AM PST  |
| Naija loves messaging apps: Whatsapp, Instagram, BBM and the next killer app is…? Posted: 05 Feb 2016 09:02 AM PST  No doubt, Nigerians love social media and messaging apps like crazy and this love isn't about to go away anytime soon. There is a simple reason for this kind of soul tie to chat appsand it is content sharing-like seriously,Naija, we can share content for Africa! From videos to pictures, GIFs, music, even movies and with the growing number of affordable smart phones currently flooding our phone markets from all over the world, my dear, Naija has only begun 'Press-ups' in terms of mobile chatting and apps.  Palmchat is tailor made for Africa The thing about Palmchat is that it is so original and that's why a lot of young Nigerians are loving it. Palmchat allows users to share a lot more content and to experience even better collaborative online mobile community. This key offering of the Palmchat app is possible because of the unique features that are found in the app which stands it out of the rest of the pack. Palmchat gives next-level experience with unique features If you know Nigerians (and I am one, winksJ), we love good things and we love 'em new that is why as the latest version Palmchat 5.1dropped on Google's Play Store –withretooled and upgraded "Shake shake" and "Locals" featuresplus all new, nicely tailored "Broadcast" and "Chat room" features-messaging apps lovers are already downloading and signing up on Palmchat.  The Palmchat excitement is growing, maybe an alternative messaging app with something new is worth a try after all. Follow the link and download the Plamchat app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.afmobigroup.gphone |
| Woman crashes her own funeral, horrifying her husband, who had paid to have her killed Posted: 05 Feb 2016 08:44 AM PST  Rukundo had met her husband 11 years earlier, right after she arrived in Australia from Burundi. He was a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and they had the same social worker at the resettlement agency that helped them get on their feet.  Since Kalala already knew English, their social worker often recruited him to translate for Rukundo, who spoke Swahili. They fell in love, moved in together in the Melbourne suburb of Kings Park, and had three children (Rukundo also had five kids from a previous relationship). She learned more about her husband's past — he had fled a rebel army that had ransacked his village, killing his wife and young son. She also learned more about his character. Noela's ordeal began five days earlier, and 7,500 miles away in her native Burundi. She had returned to Burundi, her birth country, from her home in Melbourne, Australia, to attend her stepmother's funeral. She lodged in a hotel. "I had lost the last person who I call 'mother. It was very painful. I was so stressed."she told BBC By early evening, Noela had retreated to her hotel room. As she lay dozing in the stifling city heat of Bujumbura, her phone rang. It was a call from her husband in Australia "He says he'd been trying to get me for the whole day," Noela says. "I said I was going to bed. He told me, 'To bed? Why are you sleeping so early? I say, 'I'm not feeling happy'. And he asks me, 'How's the weather? Is it very, very hot?' He told me to go outside for fresh air." Noela took his advice. "I didn't think anything. I just thought that he cared about me, that he was worried about me." But moments after stepping outside the hotel compound, Noela found herself in danger. "I opened the gate and I saw a man coming towards me. Then he pointed the gun on me. He just told me, 'Don't scream. If you start screaming, I will shoot you. They're going to catch me, but you? You will already be dead. So, I did exactly what he told me." The gunman motioned her towards a waiting car. "I was sitting between two men. One had a small gun, one had a long gun. And the men said to the driver, 'Pass us a scarf.' Then they cover my face. After that, I didn't say anything. They just said to the driver, Let's go. I was taken somewhere, 30 to 40 minutes, then I hear the car stop." Noela was pushed inside a building and tied to a chair. "One of the kidnappers told his friend, 'Go call the boss.' I can hear doors open but I didn't know if their boss was in a room or if he came from outside. "They ask me, 'What did you do to this man? Why has this man asked us to kill you?' And then I told them, 'Which man? Because I don't have any problem with anybody.' They say, 'Your husband!' I say, 'My husband can't kill me, you are lying!' And then they slap me. "After that the boss says, 'You are very stupid, you are fool. Let me call who has paid us to kill you.'"  The gang's leader made the call. "We already have her," he triumphantly told his paymaster. The phone was put on loudspeaker for Noela to hear the reply. Her husband's voice said: "Kill her." Just hours earlier, the same voice had consoled her over the death of her stepmother and urged her to take fresh air outside the hotel. Now her husband Balenga Kalala had condemned her to death. "I heard his voice. I heard him. I felt like my head was going to blow up. Then they described for him where they were going to chuck the body." At that, Noela says she passed out. As the gang's leader ended the call to Kalala, Noela was coming round. "I said to myself, I was already dead. Nothing I can do can save me. But he looks at me and then he says, 'We're not going to kill you. We don't kill women and children. He told me I'd been stupid because my husband paid them the deposit in November. And when I went to Africa it was January. He asked me, 'How stupid can you be, from November, you can't see that something is wrong?'" He might have been a hit-man with principles, but the gang's leader still took the opportunity to extort more money from Kalala. He called him back and informed him that the fee for the murder had increased. He wanted a further 3,400 Australian dollars (£1,700) to finish the job. Back at the hotel, Noela's brother was getting worried about her disappearance. He called Kalala in Australia to ask for $545 to pay the police to open an investigation. Kalala feigned concern and duly wired the money. After two days in captivity, Noela was freed. "'We give you 80 hours to leave this country. Your husband is serious. Maybe we can spare your life, but other people, they're not going to do the same thing. If God helps you, you'll get to Australia.'"they told her Before leaving Noela by the side of a road, the gang handed her the evidence they hoped would incriminate Kalala - a memory card containing recorded phone conversations of him discussing the murder and receipts for the Western Union money transfers. "We just want you to go back, to tell other stupid women like you what happened," the gang told Noela as they parted. "You must learn something: you people get a chance to go overseas for a better life. But the money you are earning, the money the government gives to you, you use it for killing each other!" Noela immediately began planning her return to Australia. She called the pastor of her church in Melbourne, Dassano Harruno Nantogmah, and requested his help. "'It was in the middle of the night. I said 'It's me, I'm still alive, don't tell anybody.' He says, 'Noela, I don't believe it. Balenga can't kill someone!' And I said, 'Pastor, believe me!'" Three days later, on the evening of 22 February 2015, Noela was back in Melbourne. By now, Kalala had informed the community that his wife had died in a tragic accident. It was the day he held a memorial service for her that she walked in on him "It was around 7.30pm," Noela says. "He was in front of the house. People had been inside mourning with him and he was escorting a group of them into a car." It was as they drove away that Noela sprang her surprise. "I stood just looking at him. He was scared, he didn't believe it. Then he starts walking towards me, slowly, like he was walking on broken glass. "He kept talking to himself and when he reached me, he touched me on the shoulder. He jumped. "He did it again. He jumped. Then he said, 'Noela, is it you?'… Then he start screaming, 'I'm sorry for everything.'" Noela called the police who ordered Kalala off the premises and later obtained a court order against him. Days later, the police instructed Noela to call Kalala. Kalala made a full confession to his wife, captured on tape, begging for her forgiveness and revealing why he had ordered the murder. "He say he wanted to kill me because he was jealous," says Noela. "He think that I wanted to leave him for another man." In a police interview, Kalala denied any involvement in the plot. "The pretence," wrote the judge at his trial in December, "lasted for hours." But when confronted with the recording of his telephone conversation with Noela and the evidence she brought back from Burundi he started to cry. Kalala was still unable to offer any explanation for his actions, suggesting only that "sometimes [the] devil can come into someone to do something but after they do it, they start thinking, 'Why I did that thing?'" On 11 December last year, in court in Melbourne, after pleading guilty to incitement to murder, Kalala was sentenced to nine years in prison. "His voice always comes in the night - 'Kill her, kill her,'" says Noela of the nightmares that now plague her. "Every night, I see what was happening in those two days with the kidnappers." Ostracised by many in Melbourne's African community, some of whom blame her for Kalala's conviction, Noela sees a difficult future for her and her eight children. Source: BBC |
| N5million Star Million Prize For GCGT Season 6 Winner Posted: 05 Feb 2016 08:44 AM PST   This year, Season 6 is BIGGER and is opening its doors to children and young people aged 5 to 20 years all over Nigeria, with auditions being held in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt.           |
| Waje features on CNN African Voices Posted: 05 Feb 2016 08:28 AM PST  Singer and UN ambassador, Waje features on CNN's African Voices today 5th February 2016, she talks about several issues including the African Women project, her new album and her mission to help homeless kids in Nigeria. The songbird talks about how she uses her music platform to impact lives and be a voice to several Nigerians. She also speaks about her forth coming album and what her fans should expect from it. Waje through her Waje Safe house project partners with Child Life Line to support homeless kids in Nigeria. It airs on CNN at the following times: Saturday 3.30am and 1.30pm Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm Monday 10.30am Tuesday 4.30 am |
| Fathia Balogun releases stunning new photos to celebrate birthday Posted: 05 Feb 2016 08:22 AM PST |
| A Nigerian migrant in Germany says he is being stopped by Police 'on every corner' Posted: 05 Feb 2016 07:52 AM PST  Germans are worried about the number of asylum seekers who have been allowed into the country following incidents of sexual assaults and muggings in Cologne New Year's Eve and at the city's ongoing annual festival which were mostly blamed on migrants who "looked like they were from north Africa" . 22-year-old Nigerian Fidelis is among more than a million migrants who arrived in Germany in 2015. According to BBC, he fled fighting in Libya and travelled to Italy before making his way to Germany nine months ago. Fidelis told the BBC Newsbeat that he was stopped "on every corner" on the opening night of Cologne's annual carnival. "I am very worried. Police have been checking my papers. They've asked me Where are you from? Are you from Africa? Can I see you papers? I'm very embarrassed" There were protests all over Cologne in January and German Chancellor Angela Merkel made it easier to make asylum seekers who commit crimes leave the country. Thirty-five suspects are being investigated over the attacks with two men - a Tunisian and a Moroccan - charged. Fideleis who worked at a bar in Libya, says he loves living in Germany but when he heard what happened on New Year's Eve - he knew people would treat him differently. "I was praying to my god. I watched it on the TV station. It was like something I couldn't expect was happening by some people who I don't know. I don't know who these people are." He thinks people should be more open minded. "Africans are all different. You see white [people] in Africa you see black [people]. People need to see this" |
| "You can't win with the woman a man can't leave alone" - Toke Makinwa tweets Posted: 05 Feb 2016 06:59 AM PST   |
| Michael Jackson's daughter Paris reveals she's struggling with addiction Posted: 05 Feb 2016 08:26 AM PST The 17 year old daughter of the late king of pop revealed she is struggling with addiction on her instagram page after one of her followers criticized her for not responding to comments. Commenting on an Instagram photo, she ranted: "This is f***ing ridiculous. I am expected to literally sit on my ass all day replying to comments people leave me (positive and negative)?"Read the rest of what she wrote after the cut...  |
| Posted: 05 Feb 2016 06:32 AM PST  Located in Victoria Island, Nitro has been able to attract the biggest spenders across Lagos, as they feel it captures the ideal night life they are usually accustomed to when they travel overseas, from bottle services to exclusive rooms catered strictly for the VVIPs, the highest quality music policy to alternate and ragga club nights (Dutty Wednesdays). There's basically something for everybody, and it's ideally one of the first places to visit for someone who just arrived in Lagos and is trying to learn the culture. Grammy nominated rapper Wale of Maybach Music was spotted having a rave last weekend. Stars, celebrities and socialites are photographed in their flocks at they parade their lavish living at Nitro, really where else would they rather be? More photos...                            |
| Posted: 05 Feb 2016 05:47 AM PST  |
| Rob Kardashian joins new girlfriend Blac Chyna on set of sexy photoshoot Posted: 05 Feb 2016 05:28 AM PST               |
| Photo: 5 months pregnant woman who went missing in Abuja has been found Posted: 05 Feb 2016 05:21 AM PST   |
| Khloe K shares throwback pics of the Kardashian girls from 2008 Posted: 05 Feb 2016 05:20 AM PST |
| #TheSpecialOne Party comes to Benin! Posted: 05 Feb 2016 04:59 AM PST   Talented indigenous rapper and made of black ambassador, Phyno will be there live with DJ Spinall bringing down the roof. The night will also witness some of Benin's finest local artistes including Maleke, MC MOG, Orega, Lyrical M and Aza plus a live UV graffiti performance by Osa7. There will also be opportunities for party goers to embrace the UV ambience and get creative with UV body painting station! Benin, get ready to meet #TheSpecialOne in your city this Saturday! Guinness is bringing something amazing to your town... Look out for the cool tagging team around the hot spots of Benin or follow @guinnessngr on twitter and Instagram and get an invite to the event. Remember, Naomi Gardens, Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 7pm. Produced as the first of its kind for young African consumers, GUINNESS AFRICA SPECIAL is alive inside with the refreshing taste of quality Guinness stout and 100% natural African extracts. This one is made of us, this one is proudly ours. |
| Dear LIB readers, please interpret this interesting photo narrative Posted: 05 Feb 2016 04:48 AM PST |
| Posted: 05 Feb 2016 04:58 AM PST  Almost a year after she was rescued from Boko Haram captivity by the Nigerian army, Zara John, 16, is still in love with one of the fighters who abducted her and impregnated her, AlJazeera reports. She was delighted to discover that she was pregnant with his child following a urine and blood test carried out by a doctor in the refugee camp to which she was taken after her rescue. "I wanted to give birth to my child so that I could have someone to replace his father, since I cannot reconnect with him again," said Zara, one of hundreds of girls kidnapped by Boko Haram during a seven-year insurgency in northeast Nigeria. But any decision over the baby was taken out of her hands. Her father drowned during flooding in 2010 so her uncles intervened. Some were adamant that they did not want Boko Haram offspring in their family - and insisted on an abortion. Others felt the child should not be blamed for its father's crimes. In the end, the majority carried the vote and Zara was allowed to keep her child, a son she named Usman who is now seven months old. "Everybody in the family has embraced the child," Zara in a telephone interview, asking that her location remain undisclosed. "My uncle just bought him tins of Cerelac [instant cereal] and milk." Zara was 14 when Boko Haram members fighting to establish an Islamic state raided her village of Izge, in northeast Nigeria, in February 2014. They razed homes in the village, slaughtered men and loaded women, girls and children on to trucks. Two of Zara's brothers were out of town when the assailants struck in one of a wave of hit-and-run attacks on villages, as well as suicide bombings, on places of worship or markets. Zara's mother fell off one of the overloaded trucks but tried to chase after the vehicle that was ferrying away her only daughter and her four-year-old son, but was unable to keep up as it drove 22km to Bita. At the time, Bita and other surrounding towns near the Sambisa forest were in Boko Haram control. "As soon as we arrived, they told us that we were now their slaves," Zara recalled Her days were spent doing chores and learning the tenets of her new religion, Islam, until two months later when she was given away in marriage to Ali, a Boko Haram commander, and moved from a shared house to his accommodation. "After I became a commander's wife, I had freedom. I slept any time I wanted, I woke up any time I wanted," she said. He bought me food and clothes and gave me everything that a woman needs from a man." She added that he also gave her a mobile phone with his number in it, and tattooed his name on her stomach to mark her as a Boko Haram wife. Ali assured her the fight would soon be over and they would return to his hometown of Baga, where he intended his new wife to join his fishing business. He told her he abandoned his trade and joined Boko Haram after his father and elder brother, both fishermen like himself, were killed by Nigerian soldiers. In a June 2015 report based on years of research and analysis, Amnesty International said the Nigerian army was guilty of gross human rights abuse and extrajudicial killings of civilians in parts of northeast Nigeria, calling for an investigation into war crimes. Ali was not at home when the Nigerian army stormed Bita in March 2015 and rescued Zara and scores of other women, taking them to a refugee camp in Yola in northeast Nigeria. The raid came as international scrutiny on Nigeria increased after the high-profile abduction of 200 schoolgirls from Chibok in northern Nigeria in April 2014, which caused outrage internationally and sparked the global campaign #bringbackourgirls. The girls are yet to be found. But Zara and Ali stayed in touch by phone until Nigerian soldiers realised some of the girls in the camp were still in touch with their abductors, seized their phones, and moved them to another camp until they were reunited with their families. Zara now lives with her extended family and son in a town far away from Izge. Her male relatives took over control of her life again, with requests for interviews fielded by them and all of her movements monitored by her family. But asked her opinion, she said she would rather be with her Boko Haram "husband". "If I had my way, I would retrieve the phone number he gave me," she said, regretting not committing his number to memory. But Zara is realistic and knows the possibility of being reunited with Ali is slim. Instead she wants to return to school when Usman stops breast-feeding, and maybe then run her own business. "I want to do a business that is suitable for a woman, something that will not take me out of the house," she said. |
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