By Muplang Othniel Dickut
Ten years ago today, the world was shaken by the horrific kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls in the town of Chibok, Borno State.
Before 2014, “Boko Haram” was already the world’s third deadliest terrorist group, responsible for the two bloodiest attacks anywhere across the globe in 2013 (Global Terrorism Index, 2014).
The Abubakar Shekau-led group targeted religious institutions, government buildings, businesses, and even security installations.
The terror group’s abduction of 276 school girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok on April 14, 2014, was a turning point.
The school attack was one of the most direct statements of intent that matched the group’s objective, wired into its name “book haram” which translates to, “Western education is forbidden.”
When the news had come out about the kidnapped girls, it struck at the heart of the country’s Education system, robbing innocent girls of their basic right to learn and grow.
The reaction of the Goodluck Jonathan administration towards the Chibok incident was poor — marked by passing the blame, allegedly political theatrics, and even questioning the authenticity of the event. This naturally affected the security response, and the fate of 276 vulnerable
School girls dangled in the balance.
Their loved ones couldn’t afford the same conceitedness, and the agitation for their return eventually created the “Bring Back Our Girls” campaign which blew up around the world, including notably in the White House where the then first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, protested with a cardboard.
For a moment, it seemed like the international pressure might force the federal government’s hand, prompting a swift and decisive rescue operation. Sadly, that was not to be.
The world watched in horror as images and videos of the terrified school children circulated over the internet and on the news, their families pleading for the safe return of their children.
Over the past decade, the majority of the Chibok girls remain in captivity till this day.
According to UNICEF, 90 girls are still unaccounted for, their whereabouts unknown, their families wrecked with unimaginable grief and pain. The few who have managed to escape or were released have had to deal and live with the physical and psychological scars of their cross, their dreams and aspirations forever altered by the trauma they should not have endured.
But the Chibok abduction was not an isolated incident. In the years since, the cases of child kidnappings in Nigeria has only become more strong, with armed groups and criminal gangs targeting schools across the northern region of the country.
“Save the Children” NGO, reports that over 1,600 children have been abducted in northern Nigeria since 2014, highlighting a systemic failure to protect the most vulnerable people in the country which are the children. Despite this crisis, the federal government’s response has been severely lacking.
Finding the missing Chibok girls hasn’t been as quick or clever as promised, despite assurances and commitments.
The problem of school safety has worsened, as criminal gangs called “bandits” continue to terrorize communities and abduct children from classes. Nigeria’s failure to protect its schools isn’t just tragic; it’s a betrayal of the country’s future.
Education is vital for progress and development, but for many young Nigerians, seeking knowledge has become a risky endeavor.
As we mark this grim anniversary, it is required upon President Bola Tinubu and his administration to make the rescue of the remaining Chibok girls, as well as all other abducted children, an absolute priority.
Strengthening security in vulnerable regions, improving intelligence-gathering, and cracking down on the criminal networks that profit from these abductions must all be part of a comprehensive strategy that should be employed by the government.
The Chibok girls’ abduction was a watershed moment that exposed the fragility of Nigeria’s social fabric and the urgent need for transformative change.
But in the face of such unimaginable adversity, the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian people has shone through.
A decade later, as we reflect on this dark anniversary, it is clear that the fight to rescue these young women is far from over.
It is crucial to renew the commitment to justice, safety, and the fundamental right of every Nigerian child to pursue education without fear.
As we anticipate the future, let the 10th anniversary of the Chibok abduction serve as a reminder to take action – a time to renew our commitment to justice, safety, and the fundamental right of every Nigerian child to pursue education without fear.
The journey ahead might be tough and challenging, but the cause is one of great importance, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
In honor of the Chibok girls and everyone affected by this crisis, we must prevail.
