“We lived it, we felt it…” – Chibok survivor breaks silence 12 years after abduction
A survivor of the 2014 Chibok school kidnapping, Rebecca Mallum, has spoken out as she marked the 12th anniversary of the abduction that shook Nigeria and drew global attention.
The tragic incident, which took place in Chibok, Borno State, saw hundreds of schoolgirls taken from Government Girls Secondary School by Boko Haram insurgents in April 2014.
A Day That Changed Her Life Forever
Mallum described the incident as a turning point in her life, saying it marked the end of her childhood dreams and the beginning of a painful journey she never imagined.
She reflected on how she went from being a hopeful young student to someone forced into a traumatic experience that continues to affect her years later.
Painful Memories That Remain
According to her, some parts of the experience remain difficult to speak about even after 12 years.
She noted that certain memories still bring emotional pain, while others are too heavy to fully express.
Mallum added that her survival is not something she takes for granted, attributing it to grace and divine help.
She strongly rejected claims that the Chibok abduction was fake or exaggerated.
She wrote:
“Today, 14th April, is a date that will forever remain carved in my heart.
“It is the day my life changed in a way I never imagined. A day I went from being a young girl with dreams, laughter, and hope… to someone forced into a dark journey I would never have chosen.
“There are memories I still struggle to speak about.
“There are nights I still remember with pain I cannot fully explain.
“And there are moments that only God helped me survive.
“I survived, but many of my sisters did not. Some we lost forever. Some are still out there, waiting… hoping… fighting to come home.
“And to the world, I say this with all the strength in me: Our story is real. Our pain is real. Our kidnapping was not fake. We lived it. We felt it. We are still healing from it.
“I carry my sisters in my heart every single day.
“But in all of it, I am here today—standing, breathing, and still holding on to hope. Not by my strength, but by God’s grace.
“I speak not just for myself, but for all my sisters whose voices are still silent, and for those who never made it back home.
“I thank everyone who has remembered us, prayed for us, and stood with us since that painful night. Your love has given many of us strength to keep going.
“As I share my story, I pray it brings healing, awareness, and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light can still be found.
“Thank you for listening… and please, never stop remembering us.”
See below;
