A 300 level chemistry undergraduate at the University of Maiduguri, Salisu Adamu, claims to have been illegally arrested, detained and experienced an ‘unbearable situation’ for more than three years in the hands of Nigeria’s military.
Adamu, a native of Biu local government area of Borno state, said he was taken from his house by the military who told him ‘not to worry, that it was just questions and answers’.
After spending over three years in detention, he was freed last week, among 39 indigenes of Borno State and three foreigners who were handed over to the Borno State government by the military, after finding out they had no affiliations with Boko Haram.
Adamu says his experience in detention was unbearable and that he was lucky to be alive, after witnessing the death of many other detainees like himself. He says his priority after being released, is to go back to school and bag his degree.
His account of events:
“I was arrested in my house in Wulari Street in Maiduguri. I can still remember vividly that it was 16th April 2011. I had come back from school and had my dinner. I was sleeping when I heard a knock on my door around 9 p.m. I asked who was at the door. Some people said, “Open the door!” When I opened it, I saw them [the military]. I wondered what had happened. Then they said I should not worry, I should come with them, that it was just questions and answers. I said ok, no problem! They took me to 21 Armored Brigade (Giwa Barracks). So I was there for more than three years.”
“While I was in detention there, I saw many people pass away. For me, it sometimes seemed that it was the end of my life but I kept praying for God’s mercy to fall upon me. I never knew that there would be a day like this where I would be free. I saw hell. I feel so happy and excited. Today is the happiest day in my life. After such a long period of time in military detention, you should know what one would have undergone. I saw hell, but to be candid I also consider myself the luckiest person because many died.”
“I recall March 14th of March this year when Boko Haram attacked Giwa Barracks. It was around 6:45 a.m. We went out to bathe and started hearing gunshots. After our baths, we returned to the cell. We felt it was the kind of normal testing that the military usually does, but the gunshots became unbearable. So I heard loud deadly weapons. We didn’t know what to do and to say, but we started praying that God should save us. However, the next thing we heard was “Allahu Akbar!” meaning, “God is Great!” So they [Boko Haram] came and opened the cells and freed everyone, but about eight of us managed to hide ourselves in the kitchen. That was how we could escape Boko Haram.”
“Looking back to my experiences in detention for three-and-and-a-half years, I lack words to describe what happened. My eyes saw things and I went through an unbearable situation, but I thank God that I am finally free. The next step for me is how to go back to the University and finish my education because I was in 300 levels when this happened.”
