Falmata and the Owners of God

Falmata and The Owners of God follows the harrowing journey of Falmata, a young woman living in the Lake Chad Basin, as she navigates the devastating impact of Boko Haram’s insurgency on her life and community. The novel begins in the small village of Gala Kurna, located in the northeast of Nigeria, where Falmata lives with her husband Hassan and her two younger sisters, Madina and Hadijatou.

One morning, Falmata’s world is shattered when Boko Haram fighters storm the village, killing and capturing many of its inhabitants. Amid the chaos, Falmata manages to flee with her sisters, but they become separated in the melee. Falmata and Madina are captured by the militants, while Hadijatou’s fate remains unknown. The two sisters are taken to a remote camp, where they are held as prisoners. In the camp, Falmata is forced into marriage with Mustafa, a former Rasta who has become one of Boko Haram’s most fervent fighters. Despite her initial fear and resentment, Falmata finds herself drawn to Mustafa’s charm and the sense of security he offers in the brutal environment of the camp. However, her hopes for a stable life are dashed when Mustafa is killed in battle, leaving Falmata widowed and vulnerable once more.

As she tries to survive in the camp, Falmata encounters Fanné, a matron who oversees the female captives. Fanné is both kind and manipulative, using her influence to indoctrinate the women into Boko Haram’s ideology. Falmata initially resists, but over time, she is drawn into the sect’s teachings, finding solace in the community of women who share her plight. However, the harsh reality of life under Boko Haram soon becomes apparent as Falmata witnesses the brutal punishments meted out to those who defy the sect’s rules, including the stoning of a young woman named Amma. Falmata’s growing disillusionment with Boko Haram’s extremism leads her to question the very faith that the sect claims to protect. She befriends Hauwa, another captive who shares her doubts, and together they begin to plot their escape. Falmata’s resolve is strengthened when she discovers that Madina is still alive, living under the care of another woman in the camp. Determined to reunite with her sister and reclaim her freedom, Falmata takes a dangerous risk by attempting to flee the camp.