In recent news, a commemorative event in Lagos on Sunday, April 14, brought together activists and relatives of victims of the notorious kidnapping of Chibok schoolgirls in 2014. The gathering aimed to renew calls for the release of young girls who are still held in captivity, marking the 10th anniversary of the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, northeastern Nigeria.
Several survivors, including Grace Dauda and Rebecca Malu, former high school students from Chibok, emphasized the importance of government intervention in rescuing the remaining girls. Despite the release of some girls over the years, human rights activist Ayo Obe highlighted the need for sustained efforts to bring back the remaining kidnapped girls.
Since the Chibok incident, mass abductions of schoolchildren in Nigeria have persisted, with approximately 1,700 students kidnapped in raids since 2014, as reported by Amnesty International. Opeyemi Adamolekun, a member of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, stressed the necessity for the government to take additional actions to address the pervasive issue of mass kidnappings of schoolchildren in the country.
According to the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, around 90 Chibok girls are still in captivity, while numerous released high school girls are living in a military rehabilitation camp after being rescued from Boko Haram’s stronghold. The situation remains a pressing concern that demands immediate attention and concerted efforts to ensure the safe return of all the kidnapped girls.
To read more on this story, please visit the following links:
1. The Twist in the Ibeto Legal Case: The Court Awaits the Appeal Judgment
2. President Felix Tshisekedi’s European Tour: A Crucial Step Towards Resolving Conflicts in the DRC
3. Nigeria: Chibok Abduction Anniversary Spurs Demands for Justice
These links provide further insights and updates on the ongoing efforts to address the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and the broader issues surrounding the safety and security of schoolchildren in Nigeria.