Twelve years after the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, parents of the victims have renewed calls on the Nigerian government, the United Nations, and the international community to renew efforts to secure the release of those still missing.
In an open letter issued at the weekend, the parents, through Yana Galang and Zanna Lawan, said 87 of the abducted girls remain unaccounted for, describing their continued captivity as a painful reminder of unfulfilled commitments by both national and global stakeholders.
On April 15, 2004, 276 mostly Christian, with some Muslim, schoolgirls aged from 16 to 18 were kidnapped by the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria, sparking global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
While dozens of the girls have since been rescued or released, the parents said the situation remains far from resolved.
“For the families, this is not a past tragedy but an ongoing reality,” the statement said, stressing that “the passage of time has not lessened the uncertainty faced by those still waiting for answers.”
The parents urged the federal government to intensify ongoing rescue efforts and ensure accountability, while also appealing to the United Nations and international partners to sustain attention on 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. We are also urging the United Nations and international partners to maintain attention on the case and support measures aimed at protecting children in conflict-affected areas,” the letter read.
Describing the crisis as one that transcends national boundaries, the parents warned against waning global interest in the plight of the girls.
“This is not only a national issue but also a test of global resolve. The responsibility to act does not diminish with time,” they said.
They further called for coordinated and transparent actions, including sustained search operations and broader strategies to safeguard access to education, particularly for girls in vulnerable communities.
The parents cautioned that the Chibok abduction must not be reduced to mere symbolism, insisting that justice and closure remain outstanding until every missing girl is accounted for.
They maintained that the case remains unresolved, urging all stakeholders to demonstrate sustained commitment until the last of the girls is found.
The federal government has repeatedly described efforts to recover the remaining girls as a national priority, alongside other victims of insurgency-related abductions in the North-East.
As of recent updates, 87 of the original abducted girls are still believed to be unaccounted for.
Packaged by Dare Raji
