The #BringBackOurGirls Group has lamented that 11 years after the abduction of 276 Chibok Schoolgirls on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram terrorists, 82 of the girls are still in captivity.
A statement by the group’s spokesperson, Jeff Okoroafor, on Monday, stated that the abduction and failure to rescue the girls serve as a painful reminder of Nigeria’s unsolved wounds.
“The Chibok tragedy is not just a security failure—it is a moral crisis, and if, after 11 years, Nigeria can not rescue schoolgirls stolen under its watch, what does that say about our nation’s commitment to its citizens?
“This anniversary is a painful reminder of Nigeria’s unresolved wounds. We demand urgent, intensified efforts to rescue all remaining captives, provide comprehensive support for survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. Education must never be a death sentence,” the statement said.
The group lamented that the government’s efforts to rescue the girls have been inadequate, adding that the lack of progress is a testament to the country’s unresolved security challenges.
“Today marks 11 heartbreaking years since the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, by Boko Haram. Despite the #BringBackOurGirls endless call for government’s action, 82 of these girls remain missing, their families clinging to hope while enduring unimaginable pain.
“On the night of April 14, 2014, Boko Haram terrorists stormed the school, forcibly taking the girls and sparking one of the most infamous mass kidnappings in modern history. Over the past 11 years, the Nigerian government has repeatedly vowed to secure the girls’ freedom.
“Yet, progress has been agonizingly slow, leaving families in perpetual anguish. The Chibok tragedy has since been followed by other mass abductions, including the recent kidnappings in Kaduna and Sokoto, underscoring Nigeria’s worsening security crisis,” the statement said.
The campaign demanded increased efforts to rescue the remaining captives, provide support for survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.
It also demanded that the Federal Government reach out to the parents of the remaining girls, release investigation reports, and provide regular security briefings.
“As Nigeria grapples with escalating insecurity, the #BringBackOurGirls demand: That FG reach out to the 82 ChibokGirls parents and provide status report on its efforts to rescue their girls and the necessary Closure Plans to prevent open-ended and lackadaisical attitude of Governments going forward.
“Release the Brigadier-General Ibrahim Sabo investigation reports on the ChibokGirls tragedy and execute full disclosure on the roles of respective administrations and actors on the abduction.
“Institute a Monthly State of Security Briefing coordinated by the National Security Advisor and broadcast live for public accountability on the status of the war against terrorism and all other forms of insecurity across the country.
“Publish and Present a Full Financial Reporting and Accountability Statement on the Resources so far Spent on National Security Matters since 2014 to date with a Matrix on Results and Impact Achieved,” it said.