Thursday 14th April 2016, makes it two years since the Chibok girls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, causing international outrage against Boko Haram as well as the Federal Government.
Protesters from all over the world are demanding greater government actions on the rescue of the girls and security of lives and property.
The terrorists broke into the school pretending to be guards, telling the girls to come with them, when the girls came out, they burnt their dormitory and took a large number of the girls away in a truck to an unknown destination, reports revealed.
Initial reports claimed 85 girls had been kidnapped. The military authorities issued a statement that 100 of 129 missing girls had been freed, but there were conflicting reports about the figures.
While the Nigerian military said 129, the parents claimed 234 and the Nigerian Police approximated the figure to be around 276.
Concerned citizens cried out that Nigerian authorities failed to provide protection for the girls, even when Boko Haram had warned of an impending attack.
The Nigerian Police said they were still unclear about the exact number of students abducted and called on parents to provide pictures to identify their missing children.
The mix up over the figures of the missing girls drew the anger of civil society organisations and led to the setting up of a committee by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to get to the root of the whereabouts of the girls and to look into their rescue.
Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, claimed responsibility for the kidnap, releasing pictures of 130 girls in hijab and challenging the government that he will marry the girls out to unknown destinations.
That drew reactions from within and outside the country prompting several petitions poured in from concerned citizens who pressured the government to act.
A group of diverse citizens started a sit out on 30th March 2014, at the Unity Founding, Abuja, advocating for the speedy and effective search and rescue of the girls.
They marched to the National Assembly defying the rains, demanding for one thing; that the abducted girls be brought back.
They also tried to enter the Presidential Villa to pressure the government to do something, but were severally resisted. All they got was a ministerial delegation.
Nigeria’s former First Lady at that time, Patience Jonathan, set up her own type of investigation in an effort to unravel the situation around the kidnapping. She was, however, overtaken by emotions.
Days passed, followed by weeks and then months and now years. The international community joined in condemnation of the abduction of the Chibok girls.
The #BringBackOurGirls became the most popular in the world on social media with everyone urging the Federal Government to Bring Back Our Girls.
Elections came and went away with the girls still in captivity. The batons changed. A new government came into power in Aso Rock and with their hashtag, the Oby Ezekwesili group got what they could not get in the past administration – a meeting with the President right in the Presidential Villa with hope rising promises to rescue the girls.
That promise is yet to be fulfilled as the Chibok girls are still in captivity.
The Muhammadu Buhari-led government cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and other innocent persons held hostage by the insurgents. If the government fails to achieve this, then it would have betrayed the trust reposed in it by all and sundry.
Police Stop BringBackOurGirls From Accessing Aso Rock
Meanwhile a procession marching in solidarity with the captive girls two years after they were kidnapped was halted by anti-riot policemen. The policemen blocked the BringBackOurGirls members from accessing the presidential villa where they planned to hold a press conference.
The group, led by Ezekwesili held the procession in Abuja to keep the girls atop the minds of the authorities so that possible moves can still be made to rescue them.
The DPO, Asokoro Police Station, CSP, Grace Longe said the protesters cannot be allowed access to the villa for security reasons.
The group later held its world media conference to commemorate the two years anniversary of the abduction of 219 Chibok schoolgirls at the entrance road to the presidential villa.
I Share Your Pains, Buhari Assures Parents Of Chibok Girls
In response, the presidency issued a press release in which it quoted President Muhammadu Buhari as assuring the parents and relations of the kidnapped Chibok girls that he frequently reflects on the ordeal of the captives in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists and shares the pain of their continued absence from home.
“President Buhari affirms that, as a parent and leader of the country, he understands the torment, frustration and anxiety of the parents and will not spare any effort to ensure the safe return of the girls,” the statement said.
“The President continues to believe that with the total commitment of the Federal Government, Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies, and the support of the international community, the girls will be eventually rescued.
“President Buhari notes that thousands of persons, mostly women and children, who were kidnapped by Boko Haram, have already been rescued and reunited with their families. He shares the hope of the parents that the Chibok girls will ultimately be rescued and reunited with their families as well.
“The President assures the parents that the Federal Government and security agencies will continue to explore all possible options for the safe return of the girls.”
According to the statement Buhari urges the parents to continue to exercise patience and understanding as the government works diligently to ensure that the girls return home unharmed.
He expressed appreciation to all Nigerians, religious and civil organisations, and the international community for their continued sympathy, support and prayers for the return of the Chibok girls.
