Twelve years after more than 270 schoolgirls were tragically abducted from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Southern Borno, Northeastern Nigeria, a survivor has poignantly remarked, “Until Leah Sharibu and all of my 82 sisters are accounted for, our story remains unfinished.”
Rebecca Mallum, one of the schoolgirls who was rescued after being abducted from their dormitory between the 14th and 15th of April 2014 by Boko Haram, took to social media to state, “There is something that has troubled me for a long time.”
According to her, “as citizens prepare to make decisions about the future of our country, we have every right to ask our leaders difficult questions.
“What efforts are being made to find Leah Sharibu? What is being done to bring home the remaining Chibok girls? What answers have been obtained from those who once belonged to the groups that held them captive?
“We have seen reports of former Boko Haram members being rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. If this is true, then why are we still without answers about Leah Sharibu, 82 Chibok girls and many others who remain missing?”
Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Southern Borno, Northeastern Nigeria. Credit: Lawandsocietymagazine.com.
Leah Sharibu was abducted at 14 from her Dapchi school in February 2018 and held captive for refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
Reports suggest she was forced into marriage with insurgent commanders and gave birth to three children—two in 2020 and a third in April 2023.
However, her parents consider these reports to be unverified rumours and stress that they just want their daughter back alive, regardless of her situation.
The 25-year-old Lady further asked a set of rhetorical questions, decrying the inability of the government to rescue the remaining missing girls
“Has anyone asked these former fighters where these girls are? Has anyone demanded to know whether they are still alive? Why does it seem that the nation has gone silent about their suffering?” she queried.
Mallum nostalgically recalled the traumatic experience, suggesting that the parents and families must be going through a similar experience.
Leah Sharibu and over 82 girls are still unaccounted for. Credit: Rebecca Mallum.
“As someone who lived through captivity, I cannot help but also think about them. Their parents still wait. Their families still hope. Their loved ones still deserve answers.
“Years have passed, but our missing sisters have not become less important. Their lives matter just as much today as they did on the day they were taken. Nigeria must not forget those who are still missing,” she demanded.
