Twelve years after the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in northeast Nigeria, the parents of the victims have issued an open letter calling on the international community, the Government of Nigeria, and the United Nations to renew efforts to secure the return of those still missing.
In a statement signed by Yana Galang and
Zanna Lawan on behalf of the Parents of the Still missing Chibok girls at the weekend, the parents stated that 87 of the girls remain unaccounted for, describing their continued absence as a stark reminder of commitments yet to be fulfilled.
The abduction on April 14, 2014, drew global condemnation and sparked widespread advocacy for the protection of girls’ education.
While some of the girls have since been released or rescued, the parents noted that progress remains incomplete.
“For the families, this is not a past tragedy but an ongoing reality,” the statement stated, adding that “the passage of time has not lessened the uncertainty faced by those still waiting for answers.
“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.
“This is not only a national issue but a test of global resolve.
“The responsibility to act does not diminish with time,” the letter emphasized, even as it called for coordinated and transparent action, including continued search efforts and broader measures to safeguard access to education, particularly for girls in vulnerable communities.
The parents warn against allowing the Chibok abduction to fade from international focus, stressing that the girls must not become “a symbol without consequence.”
They conclude by stating that the situation remains unresolved until all those missing are accounted for, and call for sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
