The Chibok girls

YESTERDAY marked exactly one year since 276 girls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok. Some 57 of the girls later escaped from their abductors. The whereabouts of 219 others, between the ages of 15 and 19, remain unknown.

The political landscape of the country has changed since the girls were abducted, especially with the recent defeat of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan by the main opposition candidate, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari. But that is cold comfort for the parents of the abducted girls who keep hope alive that their children will be rescued from wherever they are and brought back home alive.

The demand for the rescue of the Chibok girls has resonated around the world in a manner never seen before. World leaders, schoolchildren, First Ladies, human rights activists, renowned journalists, international organisations, the ordinary man and woman, have all joined in this global advocacy for the rescue of the girls.

Regrettably, to date, not much seems to be known about the whereabouts of the abducted girls, despite the recent victories made by the military Multinational Joint Forces in dislodging the insurgents from north-east territories. That explains why the first anniversary of their abduction has become most poignant.

In Nigeria and in many other cities, communities and groups around the world, activities are also being held to mark the year, to keep the plight of the Chibok girls alive. In the US, the Empire State Building was lit in red (for the Chibok girls) and purple (ending violence against women). The global solidarity being demonstrated today is ample evidence of our shared humanity.

About six months ago, parents of the girls (some of whom have died) told the world that they would rather the bodies of their daughters be brought home than continue to live in such suspended animation. However, as we pointed out at the time, giving up on rescuing the girls cannot be an option for any selfrespecting society.