‘Bring Back Our Girls!’
A year after Islamic militants abducted girls in Nigeria, hope for their return is waning
They have been gone a year now, the hundreds of girls abducted by Islamic militants from their school in northeastern Nigeria.
And while the cry to “Bring Back Our Girls” remains a worldwide cause, the new president Tuesday would not repeat his predecessor’s failed promise to find them — only that they won’t be forgotten.
A solemn march was held to remember the 219 girls seized from their boarding school in Chibok by gunmen from the Boko Haram extremist group.
In Nigeria’s capital of Abuja, 219 girls paraded in the streets, with each carrying a placard bearing the name of a kidnap victim.
“We believe the girls are still alive,” said Dr. Allan Manasseh, the brother of missing 18-yearold Maryamu Wavi, in an interview with The Associated Press.
But it was clear that hope has dwindled a year after the April 14-15 mass abduction.
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari said he must be honest about the prospects of getting the missing girls back to their families.
“We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued. Their whereabouts remain unknown,” Buhari said in a statement.
“As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them.”
Campaigners have replaced the slogan of “Bring Back Our Girls — Now and Alive!” with a new one: “Never to be forgotten.”
Still, some of the marchers Tuesday are holding the new leadership accountable.
“We are here to appeal to the government to do better. We want our girls now and alive,” said Solamipe Onifade, 16.