By Caleb Jacob
Ten years after the abduction of 276 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, parents of the victims have expressed worry over the recurring cases of students’ abduction since 2014 till date across the country.
Latest in a series of such abductions was that of Kaduna Students who were recently rescued in Zamfara State.
The Chibok parents described the cases as “wildfire”, calling on the government at all levels to find a lasting solution to the menace.
Grassroots Parrot recalled that the Chibok schoolgirls were abducted from their school on April 14, 2014.
The incident sparked local and international outrage with leaders and activists putting pressure on the Nigerian government to rescue the girls while offering intelligence and support.
As tomorrow (Sunday) marks a decade of their abduction, the parents are optimistic that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
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They are calling on government to intensify efforts in securing the release of the remaining over 100 schoolgirls.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, a former Chairman of the Chibok Development Association, Abuja, Nkeki Mutah, told Grassroots Parrot that the entire community was hopeful on the return of the remaining schoolgirls.
His nieces were among the abducted schoolgirls in Chibok community. The devastated Mutah said the daughter of his junior brother had been released.
But his elder brother’s daughter is among the unlucky schoolgirls in captivity hitherto.
“Apart from the 25 girls who escaped on the day of the attack, none was freed until 2016, when Amina Ali was found by vigilantes around Sambisa Forest.
“Maryam Ali Maiyanga later escaped with her Boko Haram husband and their baby, Ali, followed by two others who escaped individually.” He explained.
He however, appealed to the Federal Government and international community to come to their aid.
It could be recall that in May 2023, the army said 76 Chibok schoolgirls had so far escaped, while 107 were released by Boko Haram in 2018.
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The army also disclosed that it rescued 186 schoolgirls so far, while 93 abductees were still in captivity.
While recounting the numbers of the school girls that had either escaped or been released, Mutah accused the Borno State Government of preventing some girls from reuniting with their families.
“The Borno State government refused to allow the last batch of 16 Chibok schoolgirls who were rescued from reuniting with their family. They only allow their parents to visit them occasionally.” He said.
Mutah also spoke on the line up activities slated for Sunday, April 14, 2024 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction at the Unity Fountain, Abuja by 2.pm.
He said they will use the occasion to reiterate their call to the international community to fulfill their promises of partnering with the Nigerian government to facilitate the release of their remaining Chibok schoolgirls.