News Central’s findings indicate that 98 out of the 276 school girls abducted by Boko Haram terrorists from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in Northeast Nigeria are still in captivity, nine years after their kidnap.
The abduction, which occurred on April 14, 2014, sparked global outrage and calls for the safe return of the girls, including from prominent figures such as former US First Lady Michelle Obama.
Over the years, efforts have been made to rescue and rehabilitate the girls, with some escaping or being released through negotiations. However, many of the girls who have returned home have faced stigmatisation in their communities and have suffered serious violations, including bearing children fathered by Boko Haram terrorists.
Efforts have been made to provide education and support for the freed Chibok girls, with some of them enrolling in foundation programs at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) under federal government scholarships or sponsorship from foreign donors.
In May 2022, one of the girls, Lydia Pogu, graduated with a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration from Southeastern University in the United States, a year after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from the same university.
However, challenges remain, with some of the girls dropping out of the AUN program, getting married, or seeking deferment to care for their newborns.
The Chibok Parents Association has appealed to the Nigerian government to continue efforts to secure the release of the remaining girls still in captivity and to provide support for those who have dropped out of school or face stigma in their communities.
Some of the freed Chibok girls have reportedly faced verbal attacks and bullying, with some being called “Boko Haram’s wife.” Parents of the girls continue to express concern and call for action, with the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari coming to an end in May 2023.
They have urged the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prioritise the issue and continue efforts to bring back all the remaining girls to their families.