Middle Class Love #Wattys2015

Nigeria: Interviews

Three days have passed. I engaged myself in meeting the personnel. Berko was most helpful in the process. He introduced everyone to me whenever they were off duty. Many villagers came to camp as a result of which I got to talk to them. Francis painstakingly translated every word as I recorded the interviews.

I had ten stories to transcribe and finish.

There was Ebele who shared the gruesome memories of being raped by one of the terrorists. He had used his foot to penetrate her. I shuddered in shock as I listened to her unfurl the sad tangle of her life.

Faraji and Ife opened up about their young daughter who did not return home from school for three days. A video from strongman Abubaker Shekau confirmed their suspicion that she had been abducted. What could they do but mourn their loss on hearing that there were 200 other girls kidnapped and married off to Boko Haram commanders. They were never going to see her again. "I will fight till my last breath to kill those bastards!" Ife yelled.

Kanye joined in the cry. He wasn't going to let the terrorists live in comfort. He would avenge the destruction of his village and family.

Several army-men opened up about their lives as well. Al this was duly recorded, translated and waiting to be transcribed. I spent the nights sitting outside tent with the dim glow of the dying bonfire. I would tap away on my laptop and send in several of the interviews and scoops that would come in from the men. Mosquitoes sang their lullaby and I impatiently waved them off with a sheet of newspaper. It surprised me how they could bite despite me covering myself fully.