12 Years After Chibok Girls Abduction, Parents Renew Rescue Call

Twelve years after the mass abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, parents of the victims have renewed calls on the Nigerian government, the United Nations, and the international community to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity.

In an open letter issued Monday and signed by Yana Galang and Zanna Lawan on behalf of the Parents of the Still Missing Chibok Girls, the families disclosed that 87 of the 276 abducted girls remain unaccounted for more than a decade later.

The parents described the situation as an enduring tragedy, stressing that the pain and uncertainty have not diminished with time.

“For the families, this is not a past tragedy but an ongoing reality,” the statement read, adding that “the passage of time has not lessened the uncertainty faced by those still waiting for answers.”

They urged Nigerian authorities to scale up efforts to locate the remaining girls and ensure accountability in the handling of the case.

“We want to once again passionately call on the Nigerian government to sustain and strengthen efforts to locate the missing girls and to ensure accountability,” the letter stated.

The group also appealed to international partners, including the United Nations, to maintain global attention on the issue, warning against the risk of fading interest.

“This is not only a national issue but a test of global resolve,” the parents said, emphasising the need for coordinated and sustained action.

They cautioned against reducing the abduction to mere symbolism without concrete resolution, insisting that the crisis remains unresolved until every missing girl is accounted for.

“The responsibility to act does not diminish with time,” the statement added.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the abduction, which occurred on April 14, 2014, saw insurgents from Boko Haram storm the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok and whisk away 276 schoolgirls, triggering global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.

While some of the victims have since escaped or regained freedom through military operations and negotiations, dozens particularly remain missing.

The federal government has consistently maintained that the rescue of the remaining girls remains a national priority, alongside efforts to free other victims of insurgency in the North-East.

As of the latest updates, 87 of the abducted Chibok girls are still believed to be in captivity, underscoring the long shadow of one of Nigeria’s most tragic security crises.