Boko Haram Massacres Dozens Of Wives So They Can’t Remarry
Dozens of Nigerian women, who had previously been forced to marry members of Boko Haram militants, were reportedly massacred by their husbands before a battle with the army in the town of Bama, Nigeria, located in the northeast of the country. The militants were afraid to be killed by the soldiers on the move or separated from their wives when fleeing from the town. They killed these women in order to prevent from marrying soldiers or others.
A woman named Sharifatu Bakura, 39, said they would not allow their wives to marry infidels. Boko Haram terrorists had gotten wind of a military strike against Bama, which was previously the group’s base in Borno State. The rebels decided to flee to the nearest town, Gwoza, before the arrival of the army. But they first decided to kill their wives, so no one else would marry them. Bakura’s husband was killed by the rebels four months ago, but she was spared from forced marriage because of pregnancy.
Boko Haram forced dozens of women in Bama to marry members of the group after capturing the town in September, but the Nigerian military announced the seizure of the town last Monday. A number of witnesses, who received military protection this week in the capital of Borno State, Maiduguri, 45 miles from Bama, said the murder was begun 10 days before. According to Salma Mahmud, another witness, Boko Haram militants said their wives would remain without sin until meeting again in heaven to reunite.
It is not yet possible to verify the exact number of those killed. The executions were following the warning from the commander of the town. He explained the situation and consequences of the town takeover by the army. He warned the army would turn their wives into the community to marry and live with the unbelievers. The commander said it would be better for them to kill their wives and send to heaven. Some women were shot dead in front of their houses. Some Boko Haram men rejected the command and fled with their wives to Yobe State.
