Four years after Chibok Girls Abduction by Salaam Rasak O.

Published on April 14 2018 by Salam Rasak O.

Against the whims and caprices of the laborious efforts of the military personnel, some of 276 Chibok girls abducted on April 14, 2014 at Government Girls College, Chibok, Borno state, are still in captivity.

This is appalling. Today marks exactly four years that the gory incident occurred where students reportedly preparing for WAEC examination were comfortably whisked away by members of the deadly sect, BokoHaram. While the untoward drama might have been stalled quickly, it took persistent pressures from veteran writers and columnists before the Jonathan government could agreed that truly some students were abducted.

However, the belated response had damaging effects on all attempts made to rescue the girls. This could be confirmed by what came to a head at the initial stage in which there was no compass upon which the students could be located. It was after series of efforts that Sambisa was identified as their den.

Without being too historical, the yet-to-be released 112 girls out of 276 abductees is a pointer to the fact that Nigerians live in a seemingly state of nature where life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short. In light of this, President Muhammad Buhari pledged to overcome the menace and that accounted as one of the reasons for his emergence. He may not have totally achieved the target, but the successful release of over 82 girls under his administration through International organizations like Red Cross, Civil societies, concession, among others, is commendable.

Worthy of attention, however, is still the vibrancy and capacity of the dastard BokoHaram terrorists. This is visible in the hitch-free manner they orchestrated another mass abduction in Dapchi community, Borno state. We hold the government to a praise for the timely intervention and successful rescue of the abductees, save Leah Sharibu who is held captive for failing to renounce her christain faith.

Deducing from the above, it is self-explanatory that Boko Haram is far from being physically and structurally defeated, nay ‘technically defeated’ as once said by this government. Therefore, all hands must be on deck towards successful rescue of 112 Chibok girls still in captivity. We cannot fathom the emotional trauma their parents are undergoing and the disorientation the students must have passed through. For instance, when one of the abducted girls was released, she stealthily escaped and ran back to BokoHaram den for spiritual, moral and social securities. This is disorientation at its height.

Again, we seize this medium to remind the government that Dapchi girls saga is yet over until Leah Sharibu is released. Sincere efforts should be made towards securing her release alive. Equally, the persistent efforts of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) in this regard is exalted. They have consistently stood up to remind and put pressure on the government. To this end, some of the campaigners have experienced undesirable fate in the hands of law enforcement agents who once treated them as antagonists of the government during a sit-out in Abuja. In light of this, we implore the government to be more liberal and align further with democratic ethos by working hand-in-hand with the BBOG. We are all agitating for the same just course, safe release of the girls, which I believe will be achieved through synergy of efforts.

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