As today marks the ninth anniversary of the abduction of 276 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, a coalition, the #BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the 96 girls still missing are rescued before he leaves office on May 29, this year.
This is also as the group frowned at the non-release of 16 rescued girls to their families many months after, this it noted, is akin to escaping from one form of captivity and being held captive at another end.
This was contained in a statement released by a member of the coalition, who is also the Founder of Enough is Enough, EIE, Yemi Adamolekun, in Lagos yesterday.
The group charged the President to remember what he said on the day of his inauguration on May 29, 2015 where he said, "We can not claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents," and do the needful before leaving office.
"As we approach the tragic ninth anniversary of the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State - April 14, 2014 - our hearts remain broken at the failure to close this shameful chapter in our country's history as promised by President Muhammadu Buhari in his address to the nation in 2015 and various times subsequently.
"The last report we received on the status of the Chibok Girls in October 2022 is as follows:
276 abducted, 57 escaped, 107 released, 16 rescued (by the Military) and 96 still missing.
"We are equally distressed to learn that after a successful campaign by our gallant military in the last two years when they liberated thousands of people including over 12 girls - now women - and handed them over to the Borno State Government, our daughters and sisters remain in the custody of the state and have not been properly reunited with their families or back in control of their lives now that they are out of the hands of the terrorists. "Have our girls escaped one form of captivity only to spend 6 months to one and a half years in a different form of captivity? What crime have they committed? Why are survivors of unimaginable trauma being treated this way?
"We appeal and demand that the President fulfils his promise to his daughters from Chibok, to Leah Sharibu, his daughter from Dapchi and other victims of insurgency, bandits and kidnappers and rescue them before his term of office ends on May 29, 2023. The rescue and rehabilitation of our daughters whose education was interrupted and the restoration of peace in their communities will be an undeniable legacy of President Buhari's administration.
"Our demands on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the ugly incident are: Bring back our girls before May 29, 2023. A push to finally defeat Boko Haram, ISWAP, and liberate all our citizens. Accountability from the Borno State Government. A full report and debriefing for the parents on the status, academic plans and wishes of the rescued girls, women and children in their custody.
"Provide closure for parents on the fate of their daughters who they have reason to believe are dead. Psycho-social support for Chibok and other conflict-affected families of abducted students to address the trauma to families; equipping and completion of their education, shelter, and empowerment to earn a living.
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"Equip and motivate the police and armed forces and see to their welfare and proper care for the families of officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Reinvest in the Victims Support Fund (VSF) to care for the practical needs of all returned and rescued girls, siblings and family members of girls. The federal government has seemingly abandoned VSF to the management of one generous citizen.
"Public statement on the Missing Persons Register and immediate reopening of a properly resourced and staffed Missing Persons Desk at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Report on the coordinated provision of security for schools - primary, secondary, and higher education at local, state and federal levels. Status report on the Safe Schools Initiative and adequate financing to ensure its effectiveness."
