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Nigeria's Boko Haram 'sends girls to front line' Nigeria's Boko Haram 'sends girls to front line'
(about 1 hour later)
Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram has forced abducted women and girls to go to the front line to help fight the military, a new report says.Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram has forced abducted women and girls to go to the front line to help fight the military, a new report says.
The group has taken more than 500 women and girls hostage since it began its insurgency in 2009, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report adds.The group has taken more than 500 women and girls hostage since it began its insurgency in 2009, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report adds.
Suspected militants seized about 30 children on Thursday, despite government claims of a truce.Suspected militants seized about 30 children on Thursday, despite government claims of a truce.
Boko Haram has declared a caliphate in areas it controls in the north-east.Boko Haram has declared a caliphate in areas it controls in the north-east.
The group had intensified abductions since May 2013, when Nigeria's government imposed a state of emergency in the three states where Boko Haram was most active - Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, HRW said.The group had intensified abductions since May 2013, when Nigeria's government imposed a state of emergency in the three states where Boko Haram was most active - Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, HRW said.
The HRW report comes as three girls who escaped Boko Haram after being sbducted in April told their story to BBC Hausa.
In an animation of their story - at the top of this page - the girls describe their fear of being shot or hunted down by Boko Haram, and the dangerous journey back to safety.
'Shaking with horror''Shaking with horror'
The New-York based group estimates that more than 4,000 civilians have been killed in more than 192 attacks since May 2013 in the north-eastern and in the capital, Abuja.The New-York based group estimates that more than 4,000 civilians have been killed in more than 192 attacks since May 2013 in the north-eastern and in the capital, Abuja.
At least 2,053 civilians were killed by Boko Haram in the first half of 2014, it says.At least 2,053 civilians were killed by Boko Haram in the first half of 2014, it says.
Who are Boko Haram?Who are Boko Haram?
Escape from Boko HaramEscape from Boko Haram
Who are Boko Haram?Who are Boko Haram?
Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar ShekauProfile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau
Will 'truce' with Boko Haram free Chibok girls?Will 'truce' with Boko Haram free Chibok girls?
In the report, a 19-year-old woman says she was held in militant camps for three months last year.In the report, a 19-year-old woman says she was held in militant camps for three months last year.
In one operation, she was given a knife to kill one of five vigilantes captured by Boko Haram.In one operation, she was given a knife to kill one of five vigilantes captured by Boko Haram.
"I was shaking with horror and couldn't do it. The camp leader's wife took the knife and killed him," she said."I was shaking with horror and couldn't do it. The camp leader's wife took the knife and killed him," she said.
On another occasion, she was forced to accompany the men to the front line.On another occasion, she was forced to accompany the men to the front line.
"I was told to hold the bullets and lie in the grass while they fought. They came to me for extra bullets as the fight continued during the day," the woman said."I was told to hold the bullets and lie in the grass while they fought. They came to me for extra bullets as the fight continued during the day," the woman said.
"When security forces arrived at the scene and began to shoot at us, I fell down in fright. The insurgents dragged me along on the ground as they fled back to camp.""When security forces arrived at the scene and began to shoot at us, I fell down in fright. The insurgents dragged me along on the ground as they fled back to camp."
HRW said it had interviewed 30 women and girls who had either fled captivity or were released by Boko Haram.HRW said it had interviewed 30 women and girls who had either fled captivity or were released by Boko Haram.
They included 12 of the 57 who managed to escape when the militants raided a boarding school in the remote town of Chibok in Borno in April.They included 12 of the 57 who managed to escape when the militants raided a boarding school in the remote town of Chibok in Borno in April.
'Rape''Rape'
Boko Haram is still holding 219 of the girls it had abducted during the raid, sparking a global campaign for their release.Boko Haram is still holding 219 of the girls it had abducted during the raid, sparking a global campaign for their release.
On 17 October, Nigeria's chief of defence staff said the military had agreed a truce with Boko Haram, and he was hopeful that the girls would be freed within a week.On 17 October, Nigeria's chief of defence staff said the military had agreed a truce with Boko Haram, and he was hopeful that the girls would be freed within a week.
However, Boko Haram has not commented on the alleged deal and the girls have not been released.However, Boko Haram has not commented on the alleged deal and the girls have not been released.
HRW said Boko Haram seemed to pick victims arbitrarily, though students and Christians were particularly targeted.HRW said Boko Haram seemed to pick victims arbitrarily, though students and Christians were particularly targeted.
One young woman held in a camp described how combatants placed a noose around her neck and threatened her with death until she renounced her religion.One young woman held in a camp described how combatants placed a noose around her neck and threatened her with death until she renounced her religion.
The women and girls interviewed said that some Boko Haram commanders appeared to make efforts to protect them from sexual violence.The women and girls interviewed said that some Boko Haram commanders appeared to make efforts to protect them from sexual violence.
However, HRW said it had documented eight cases of sexual violence perpetrated by fighters and most cases of rape occurred after the victims were forced to marry.However, HRW said it had documented eight cases of sexual violence perpetrated by fighters and most cases of rape occurred after the victims were forced to marry.
In the latest abductions, about 30 children were taken during Thursday's raid on Mafa village in Borno.In the latest abductions, about 30 children were taken during Thursday's raid on Mafa village in Borno.
"The insurgents... grabbed young people, boys and girls, from our region," said Alhaji Shettima Maina, a local community leader for Mafa."The insurgents... grabbed young people, boys and girls, from our region," said Alhaji Shettima Maina, a local community leader for Mafa.
At least 17 people were also killed in the assault, blamed by the Nigerian authorities on bandits.At least 17 people were also killed in the assault, blamed by the Nigerian authorities on bandits.
Are you in north-eastern Nigeria? How has the recent conflict affected you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in north-eastern Nigeria? How has the recent conflict affected you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.