Parents of the schoolgirls abducted in the Chibok Girls kidnapping have called for renewed global efforts to secure the release of those still missing, 12 years after the incident that shocked the world.
In an open letter issued at the weekend, the parents appealed to the Government of Nigeria, the United Nations, and the international community to intensify actions aimed at rescuing the remaining captives and ensuring accountability.
The statement, signed by Yana Galang and Zanna Lawan on behalf of the parents of the still-missing girls, disclosed that 87 of the 276 schoolgirls abducted on April 14, 2014, in Chibok, Borno State, remain unaccounted for.
Describing the situation as an “ongoing reality,” the parents said the passage of time has not diminished the pain and uncertainty faced by affected families.
“For the families, this is not a past tragedy but a continuing ordeal,” the statement read, stressing that many parents are still waiting for answers more than a decade later.
The abduction sparked global outrage at the time and triggered widespread advocacy for the protection of girls’ education, including the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. While several of the girls have since been rescued or released through negotiations, the parents noted that significant gaps remain.
They urged the Nigerian government to sustain and strengthen rescue operations, while also calling for greater transparency and accountability in ongoing efforts.
“We want to once again passionately call on the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to locate the missing girls and ensure justice is served,” the statement added.
The parents also appealed to the United Nations and international partners to maintain attention on the case and support measures to protect children, especially girls, in conflict-affected areas.
According to them, the Chibok case represents not just a national concern but a global responsibility.
“This is not only a national issue but a test of global resolve. The responsibility to act does not diminish with time,” the letter stated.
They further warned against allowing the incident to fade from international focus, emphasizing that the missing girls must not become “a symbol without consequence.”
The parents reiterated that the matter remains unresolved until all those abducted are accounted for, calling for sustained commitment and coordinated action from all stakeholders.
