Eleven agonizing years have passed since one of Nigeria's most devastating tragedies unfolded in Chibok, Borno State, yet the nightmare continues for 90 families still waiting for their daughters to return home.
The Night That Shook Nigeria
On April 14, 2014, the world watched in horror as Boko Haram militants stormed the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, abducting 276 schoolgirls in a brazen overnight attack. While some managed to escape immediately and others have been rescued or released through negotiations over the years, a heartbreaking number remain in captivity.
The Unforgotten 90
Despite international campaigns and government promises, these 90 young women continue to endure unimaginable circumstances. Their names represent not just statistics, but dreams interrupted and families torn apart:
Among those still missing are:
- Hauwa Joseph
- Ladi Wadai
- Mary Dauda
- Esther Usman
- Ruth Kollo
- Lugwa Sini
- Tabitha Pogu
- Maifa Dauda
- Hanatu Musa
- Lydia Habila
A Decade of Hope and Heartbreak
The "Bring Back Our Girls" campaign became a global phenomenon, with celebrities, world leaders, and ordinary citizens demanding action. While 82 girls were released in 2017 following negotiations and several others escaped or were rescued through military operations, progress has stalled dramatically in recent years.
Families' Unending Vigil
Parents and relatives maintain their vigil in Chibok, their hope tempered by the passing years. Many have aged, some have passed away without ever seeing their daughters again. The community that once made international headlines now struggles with the quiet desperation of prolonged uncertainty.
Security Challenges Persist
The continued captivity of the Chibok girls underscores Nigeria's ongoing battle with insurgency in the northeast. Despite government claims of weakening terrorist groups, the inability to secure the release of all captives raises serious questions about security strategy and counter-terrorism effectiveness.
A Call for Renewed Action
As Nigeria marks this somber anniversary, human rights organizations and activists are calling for renewed international attention and more robust government action. The story of the Chibok girls remains a powerful symbol of Nigeria's security challenges and the human cost of conflict.
The complete list of all 90 missing girls serves as both a memorial and a mobilization tool—reminding the world that until every Chibok daughter returns home, this chapter in Nigeria's history remains painfully unfinished.
