Shot at Seventeen: My Harrowing Experience with Soldiers in Zaria

By Fatima Halilu

I was 17 years old and in my final year of secondary school when I was shot in Gyallesu, Zaria, on December 12, 2015. I was hit twice—once in the foot and once in the shoulder. They also aimed at my head. The scars remain. Soldiers shot me and took me to their barracks in Basawa. 

That day, my mother called to check on me. I told her I was home, but she urgently asked me to go to the Sheikh’s house because it was under attack and soldiers were killing people. I went with my friend Momi. As soon as we arrived, we saw soldiers shooting at everyone. We ran to a house where our brothers cooked and started preparing food. As we ate, gunfire grew closer. One brother warned the soldiers had almost reached the Sheikh’s house. Everyone rushed to the door, including us.

Outside, we found our brothers taking cover on the ground. We encouraged them, hoping soldiers might spare women if we confronted them. But as soon as we stepped out, soldiers shot two sisters dead—one in the chest, another in the head. We carried them back inside. Seconds after stepping out, I was shot in the shoulder and fell. I helped a wounded brother until some sisters arrived. Then a bullet shattered my leg. 

As we tried to return inside, soldiers caught us and ordered us to surrender. They arrested us, searched the sisters, tore off hijabs, tied our hands behind our backs, and threw us in their vehicle heading to Basawa barracks. We were locked in a dark room with men and women crammed together. One brother suggested sisters stay behind the brothers for cover since many had torn clothes and no hijabs. Some brothers gave their clothes to the sisters to protect them from the cold.

The soldiers ignored our injuries and gave no medical help. Food arrived only in the morning—biscuits and lemon drink, then rice and water. Later, the soldiers brought out the women, moved us to a different room, gave us water, and recorded our names. They then took us to a police station in Kaduna. 

The police released us days later, apologizing for what happened. They did not abuse us, though they were firm. I overheard a soldier say, “It’s a shame we were sent to kill women and children. Most are under 20. This wasn’t a war we should fight. We were lied to, told we’d fight heavily armed enemies.” I recognize him because he and another soldier often visited us, bringing supplies and showing sympathy.

Culled from the book "Survivors of the December 2015 Massacre of Shiites in Nigeria: The Unsilenced Voices". 

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