Parents of Missing Chibok Girls Renew Call for Global Action 12 Years After Abduction

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Parents of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls have renewed calls for urgent and coordinated action to secure the release of those still in captivity. Their appeal comes 12 years after 276 girls were taken from Chibok in Borno State.

On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram militants kidnapped 276 schoolgirls aged 16 to 18 from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria. While many escaped or were rescued, over 80 girls remained missing or in captivity 10 years later. The incident spurred global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign

In an open letter signed by Yana Galang and Zanna Lawan on behalf of the parents, the families revealed that 87 of the abducted girls remain unaccounted for. They appealed to the Federal Government, the United Nations and the international community to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining victims.

The parents described the continued absence of the girls as a painful reminder of unfulfilled promises since the April 14, 2014, abduction, stressing that the tragedy remains ongoing for affected families.

“For the families, this is not a past tragedy but an ongoing reality,” the statement read, adding that the passage of time has not eased the anguish or uncertainty surrounding the fate of their daughters.

While acknowledging that some of the girls have been rescued or have escaped over the years through military operations and negotiations, the parents lamented that progress has been slow and incomplete. They called on the Nigerian government to strengthen ongoing rescue efforts and ensure accountability in the process.

“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 statement said.

The parents also urged the United Nations and international partners to keep the Chibok case on the global agenda, warning against dwindling attention and accountability. Describing the incident as both a national and global concern, they emphasised the need for sustained commitment from all stakeholders.

“This is not only a national issue but a test of global resolve,” the statement noted.