11 Years After Chibok Girls Abduction: 82 Still in Captivity as Families Demand Action
BBOG Campaigners and Affected Families Renew Calls for Rescue
The 11th anniversary of the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, was marked on April 14 with renewed calls for action. The Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaigners and affected families are demanding the rescue of the remaining 82 schoolgirls still held by Boko Haram terrorists.
Video credit to: Africa in Focus
A Decade of Broken Promises
Despite assurances from successive Nigerian administrations, many families express deep frustration that their daughters remain in captivity eleven years after the horrific abduction. While the Muhammadu Buhari administration successfully rescued many of the Chibok schoolgirls, the continued captivity of 82 girls represents an ongoing national tragedy.
Pattern of School Abductions Continues
The Chibok incident marked the beginning of a disturbing trend of mass school abductions in Nigeria:
Dapchi and Jangebe Cases
In 2018, Boko Haram kidnapped 110 schoolgirls from Government Girls’ Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State. While most were released, Christian student Leah Sharibu remains in captivity. More recently in 2021, 276 students were abducted from Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State, though all were eventually released.
Impact on Education and Security
The persistent threat of school abductions has severely impacted education in northern Nigeria, contributing to the region’s disproportionately high number of out-of-school children – estimated at over 20 million nationwide.
Call for Enhanced School Security
Experts emphasize that improving school security is critical to restoring confidence in the education system. “Government must assure students, particularly girls, that schools are safe from terrorist attacks,” one analyst noted.
Government Response Under Scrutiny
With Nigeria’s security situation continuing to deteriorate, critics question the commitment of current leadership. The Bola Tinubu administration has yet to demonstrate significant progress in rescuing the remaining Chibok girls or addressing the broader security crisis.
Urgent Action Needed
Security analysts argue that resolving the Chibok case would send a strong message against terrorism. “As long as these girls remain captive, it emboldens terrorists and reflects poorly on government effectiveness,” a BBOG representative stated.
The emotional toll on families continues to mount, with reports suggesting some parents have died from trauma while others remain uncertain about their daughters’ fates. The collective plea remains clear: all abducted schoolchildren must be rescued and Nigeria’s schools made safe once more.
Credit: The Sun Nigeria