By Faiza Jibrin
Abdussalam was sitting with his family, listening to their discussion about the upcoming 2026 Ramadan fasting. While it’s a call for celebration for all Muslims, Abdussalam couldn’t shake off the memories of the period that changed his life forever.
A burden of fear still lingers, reminding him of how fortunate he was to escape death, among 6 others of his age, but with permanent physical and emotional scars.
27 years old Abdussalasm Musa lives in a village named Fuma, Hawul LGA Borno state, with his mom and late Dad. Like many of his relatives who went on vacation in the village, Abdussalam grew eager to study in the city, inspired by them.
In search of quality education, he got the support of his parents to study at Maiduguri Government Day Secondary School, under the care of his uncle in Bakasi Borno state.
Abdussalam began with skills acquisition as a mechanic for almost 3 years in Maiduguri city before he started school. Not only did he focus on his studies, but he also honed his skills, working to help support his parents with his fees.
Dreams Interrupted
In May 2019, during the last ten days of Ramadan, Abdussalam and his friends set out around 11pm for the Tahajjud prayer. Arriving early, they thought to lay in front of the mosque before more people arrived and began praying around midnight.
“We were about 10 asleep when I got woken up by the sounds of Boko Haram surrounding us with guns and cutlasses,” Abdussalam said as he vividly recalled the devastating moment.
About 10 of them appeared in their personal clothes — by then, they’ve burgled multiple shops and packed foodstuffs into wheelbarrows. ‘They asked us to escort them with the foodstuffs to a location unknown to us,’ he said.
We argued with them for about an hour before we accepted. ‘They swore not to harm us, then we began pushing the wheelbarrows, following them.’ he said
After crossing the demarcation hole dug out by the military between the edge of Bakasi and the forest, they began to tie two people’s hands and brutally stabbing them on the head and neck till they got dead.
Between each two groups is meters away, however among the seven of them lucky one got to escape but got shot in the hand.
‘I was too scared to run, thinking of the gun shot that might lead to my death.’ When it reached his turn, he got tied up with his other friend.
“I recited so many prayers and the kalimatusha-shahada then got strike repeatedly with the Cutlass’ Abdussalasm recalled ‘from then I couldn’t tell what happened, just woke to see myself alive in hospital.”
A Family’s Pain
Jibrin Garba Mshelia, Abdussalam’s uncle, who works as a senior security officer in Jafi, received the shocking news early the next morning during Suhur.
Upon arriving at the scene, he found only Abdussalam alive, severely wounded with blood covering his head and face. “We hurriedly took him to the General Hospital, where they quickly examined him and referred us to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital,” Jibrin said.
Abdussalam’s head was badly hurt, with his brain showing from the strike, while his right finger was cut off.
Despite Abdussalam’s severe condition, they had to wait until the next day for the operation. “The doctor asked me to sign, accepting the outcome of the operation,” Jibrin said.
The doctor explained the two possible outcomes: Abdussalam might survive with physical and mental health challenges, or he might not make it.
Jibrin had no choice but to accept the reality. About 5 doctors operated on Abdussalam, spending around 7 hours on the procedure. “They started around 10am and brought him out by 5pm,” Jibrin recalled. “We were not allowed to see him till the next day”
Upon hearing the news, Laraba Garba Mshelia, Abdussalam’s mom and Jibrin’s sister, rushed from the village to her child’s side. Seeing her son tied up with chains, calling out “Mama” she broke down, her heart shattered into pieces.
The sight of her wounded child, helpless and trapped, was almost too much to bear. Tears streaming down her face, she stayed beside him all day whispering prayers and promises of safety and love.
After about 6 months in hospital Abdussalam was taken to the Dala community where Jibrin lived to avoid additional challenges. “We got scared — maybe being alive will make the Boko haram come back for him again” he said
Waking to a New Reality
Abdussalam woke up after the operation, to see himself all locked up with chains attached to the sick bed.
“The doctor asked us to display war films for him, which would help him regain his memory,” Khadija, his cousin recalled.
She added “It’s something I never imagined would happen within my family,” commending Abdussalam’s bravery, noting that not everyone could have fought so hard to survive.
Healing was not easy for Abdussalam. The road to recovery was slow and painful, and beyond the physical wounds, poverty became another major obstacle.
His mother was the only constant by his side. Though some relatives tried to support them, they were not financially strong enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility of his care.
During these difficulties Abdussalam suffered another heartbreaking loss, his father died while he was still struggling to recover from his injuries.
For Abdussalam, recovery required more than time. Doctors recommended special meals and consistent medication to help him regain his strength. But for the family, even buying medicine was a daily struggle.
“All we could afford was our daily routine of Tuwo then maybe rice, but not all the time” Habiba, wife of Malam Jibrin shared. Providing the kind of nutrition he needed to heal properly was far beyond what they could afford.
“despite these hardships his mother remained determined, doing everything she could to help her son survive and recover.” She added
Violence and Trauma in Northeast Nigeria
Abdussalam’s story of brutality and long recovery is not unique in the context of northeastern Nigeria’s insurgency.
Borno State and surrounding areas have faced repeated attacks and violence at the hands of armed groups such as Boko Haram and its factions.
Recent research confirms that abduction, forced captivity, and assault have left countless survivors with deep physical and emotional scars, and many struggle to rebuild their lives afterward.
A 2024 Amnesty International report found that those escaping Boko Haram captivity often face further hardship and neglect, with limited access to support for healing and reintegration.
In its 2025 HumAngle highlights another heartbreaking account of a boy affected by the Boko Haram conflict, asking exactly how war has reshaped his life and documenting how family separation and trauma have defined his childhood.
This underscores the impact of insurgency where psychological wounds often persist long after physical violence ends.
More recently, violence continues, including major militant attacks and abductions such as the 2026 assault in Ngoshe, Borno where hundreds of people were taken by armed militants, showing that insecurity and its human cost persist.
Together, these show that Abdussalam’s ordeal reflects a broader regional crisis where individuals and families continue to endure and survive violence, loss and long‑term consequences of conflict.
Resilience in the Face of Disability
Waking up to a new reality, Abdussalam once fully able bodied is now classified as a person with a disability (PWD). Yet this has not limited his determination.
While his dream of studying in Maiduguri city was interrupted, he relocated back to Shafa LGA with his mother under the care of his uncle, Sa’idu Garba.
Despite the challenges, Abdussalam remained committed to education, refusing to let his physical limitations define him. “I managed to complete my WAEC and NECO exams here in Shafa,” he said, but further schooling remained out of reach due to a lack of parental and government support.
Also, determined to reduce his vulnerability and turned to farming during the 2025 season, which he successfully harvested four bags of rice and one bag of soybean.
“We believe the act of farming will may be also help his body to recover, because he was asked to do exercises more often as well” Malam Jibrin mentioned
In addition, he now runs a kiosk shop for someone else, using the small earnings to support his mother.
Although his dream of continuing school remains undefined, Abdussalam’s resilience and resourcefulness show a remarkable ability to adapt and survive despite challenges.
Rights and Legal Protections.
Abdussalam’s struggle to continue his education and rebuild his life is not only a story of personal resilience, it is also a human rights issue protected by both national and international laws.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), states that people with disabilities should not be excluded from education because of their condition and must have access to inclusive and accessible schools.
It also requires governments to provide rehabilitation and support services to help persons with disabilities live independently and participate in society.
In Nigeria, the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act also protects the rights of persons with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination and guaranteeing access to education, healthcare, and social inclusion.
Meanwhile, at the regional level, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child calls on governments to protect children affected by violence and ensure their recovery, dignity, and development, including access to education and necessary support.
Together, these laws show that survivors like Abdussalam have the right to education, rehabilitation, and support, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure these rights are fulfilled.
Abdussalam survived what many could not, moreover countless others remain unseen, struggling in silence.
Governments, NGOs, and communities need to identify vulnerable individuals, and provide the care, education, and livelihoods they need to rebuild their lives. Survivors shouldn’t be left to fight alone.
