Chibok and the Misery of our Missing Girls

While the world prepared to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus death, the 14th April 2014 will continue to sink deep in the minds of the citizens in Nigeria. Nigerians were awakened to the realization of another bomb explosion in the Federal Capital Territory. While we mourned, the Boko Haram Group claimed responsibility. Yet, we had a quick blow again with sweeping news of the kidnap of girls from a boarding facility in Chibok, Borno State, North-East Nigeria. This time, the girls who were preparing for the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination were in a flash, woken up late night from sleep by what was reported as ‘camouflage soldiers.’ These girls were taken, all in a couple of vehicles that conveyed them to where we are not able to ascertain nearly 3 weeks later. The first report in the news was that about a hundred students were kidnapped. Sadly, the figures continue to increase by the day as evidence has shown that there was more than the initially reported figure. As at the last, report had it that there were more than three hundred girls, mostly Christians. The Christian Association of Nigeria last week released the list of about 180 girls who were Christians and presently missing. It is very unfortunate that in a country that prides itself as the giant of Africa, security support for citizens is lacking. The Chibok case was compounded because a number of schools were hosted in the abduction location because there had been threatened security in the state, Borno. Thus, there had been a decision, which now appears to have been very myopic and lacking in foresight. The decision had been to bring all the students in one school and guard the place. Unfortunately, this did not bring the result desired. It has brought us to this stale end, which has erupted in several calls and protest to return our girls across Africa, Europe and the US. The calls continue to resonate as there are indications that the girls are being raped daily by the terrorists who have abducted them. We come to the conclusion based on the report given by a number of girls who had taken their destiny into their hands by escaping during their trip to the unknown. For a number of them who were not initially fortunate to escape, but later did, they tell the tales of frequent rape that characterised the operations of the deadly Boko Haram group. In spite of all the aforementioned, the Federal Government of Nigeria continues to assure its citizens of its efforts to ensure the girls return. Unfortunately, Nigerians know better that such show of concern are not sincere as the president appear to be more concerned about the 2015 elections which he may be seeking reelection. Presently, a video clip which was released in the early part of the week reveals the Boko Haram leader has vowed to ‘sell the girls.’ This corroborates an initial report that some of the girls were being sold to serve as wives for a mere $14. This is in the least expression, repugnant and unfortunate. If the girls ever get released, we are worried about the systems’ effort to ever get them to handle the psychological and emotional trauma they may live with for life. Nigeria has not in the past been able to manage such trauma in its citizens, and it may be just another cycle of a broken future for these girls. We hope that the government will continue to pay more than lip service and ensure that these girls are returned to their families who presently suffer the guilt of pain and frustration.