Community Urges Government to Reunite Freed Chibok Girls with Families

The Borno State Government is being urged by the Kibaku Area Development Association to allow the Chibok schoolgirls who have been rescued from Boko Haram to reunite with their families.

This request was made by the community during a press conference at the Unity Fountain in Abuja on Sunday, marking the 10th anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014.

The night of April 14 saw the kidnapping of 276 female students from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. The students, aged 16 to 18 and mostly Christians, were taken by the fundamentalist group, Boko Haram.

Prior to the abduction, the school had been closed for four weeks due to worsening security conditions. However, the girls were present at the school that night to take their final exams in Physics.

Residents in Chibok received warnings of the attack a few hours before it happened, as armed insurgents in convoys were spotted heading towards the town from neighboring villages.

The attackers, disguised in military camouflage, entered the school pretending to be Nigerian Armed Forces personnel.

The attack lasted approximately five hours and resulted in the burning of houses in Chibok.

The incident sparked national and international outrage against the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The Bring Back Our Girls advocacy group was formed to raise awareness and push for government action to rescue the girls.

A decade later, the fate of 89 girls remains unknown, while some have been freed.

A few girls escaped by jumping from the trucks during the incident, and others were rescued by the Nigerian Armed Forces at different times.

The Kibaku Area Development Association revealed that some rescued girls are still in the custody of the Borno State government awaiting reunion with their families.

During the press conference in Abuja, the National President of the Kibaku community, Dauda Iliya, criticized the Borno State Government for what he described as the re-captivity of the released girls.

He demanded the immediate release of the rescued girls to their families and criticized any potential handover to the abductors or so-called reformed terrorists.

Iliya emphasized that the girls and their families did not consent to the initial abduction, questioning the rationale for seeking their consent for reunification. He insisted that the girls should be allowed to return home and school without restrictions for support from any interested organization or group.

The association also called on governments at all levels to expedite efforts to rescue the remaining girls and put an end to the ordeal.

Iliya further criticized the government for sanctioning marriages between the girls and alleged repentant terrorists, threatening legal action if corrective measures were not taken.

The Borno State Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, declined to comment further when contacted on the issue of the Chibok girls.

In a press release on Saturday, the Commissioner stated that 187 of the abducted girls had been rescued and reunited with their families.

He highlighted the progress made in reintegrating the rescued girls into normal life, including enrolling them in schools, providing empowerment programs and psychosocial support.

Amidst the ongoing efforts, parents like Mrs. Rebecca Samuel expressed their longing for the return of their daughters, emphasizing the importance of their safe return irrespective of the circumstances.

Yakubu Nkeki, a representative of the Chibok Parents Association, reported that 138 of the girls had been rescued or released, leaving others still missing or in captivity.

Still in captivity are 82 of the abducted girls.

A demand for the release of the remaining Chibok girls held in captivity was made by the Christian Association of Nigeria. The Christian body expressed deep concern over the unimaginable trauma the girls must be enduring and the anguish felt by their parents. The association called for intensified efforts by the government to rescue the abducted girls and urged the international community to join in advocating for their release.

Together, voices can be amplified to exert pressure on the abductors and bring an end to this prolonged ordeal. The Christian Association of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to seeking justice and ensuring the safe return of the Chibok girls. They called on all Nigerians to unite, lend their voices, and demand immediate action from the government to support the families of the abducted girls in bringing them back home.

The United States reaffirmed its support for Nigeria in combating terrorism and protecting its people. The U.S. Embassy in Abuja expressed solidarity with Nigeria in bolstering security, holding attackers accountable, and ensuring the welfare of its citizens.

The enduring partnership between the United States and Nigeria is based on shared values and common goals. Both countries are committed to working together to promote peace, security, and stability in the region while supporting initiatives that enhance education, economic growth, and human rights.

The United States stands firm in its solidarity with Nigeria against extremism and in shaping a brighter, safer future for its citizens. As a decade has passed since the abduction, the U.S. reaffirmed its support for the survivors, their families, and all individuals impacted by terrorism.

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