In April 2014, the world was shocked by the news that Boko Haram had kidnapped nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls. Veteran journalist Mellissa Fung traveled to Nigeria, uncovering that the kidnappings were vastly under-reported, with hundreds, possibly thousands, more girls taken and forced into child marriages. Some captives escaped, returning to villages with children, only to be shunned by their communities, while many others remain missing. As a former captive herself, having been taken by Taliban sympathizers in Afghanistan, Fung empathizes deeply with these girls. Over four years, she conducted hundreds of interviews with the girls and their families, revealing horrific tales of capture, rape, and torture, alongside stories of resilience and escape. Fung highlights the experiences of Gambo, Asma'u, and Zara, among others, while also showcasing strong women like Aisha the Hunter, who fights Boko Haram, and Mama Boko Haram, an Igbo woman dedicated to liberating both fighters and captives. This narrative is a raw and honest portrayal of the profound struggles faced by these girls and the courageous individuals standing against the terror of Boko Haram.
