Story of the Chibok Girls and their Fate

The main focus of this article is the anticipated return of another group of Chibok girls. The world watched with bated breath as events unfolded around the abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls. Several years have passed since this tragic incident, yet today, there are many stories to recount about this event. This article is divided into two parts: firstly, whom should we hold accountable for how the girls' case was managed? Secondly, how can we progress in light of what has happened to these girls?

On the night of April 14th, 2014, the girls were abducted from their school, marking the largest mass abduction in Nigeria's history. Who do you believe let the girls down? It's us—the citizens who elect leaders without holding them accountable for their failures. Whether it's not protesting when trouble is brewing or choosing leaders who fail to take decisive action in such crises,.

Our approach to selecting leaders remains unchanged. Our poor choices endanger not only our lives but also those of our children.

Another group of girls emerges ten years later with children, new perspectives, and diverse religious beliefs, struggling to fully reintegrate into society and gain acceptance from their families. They are now perceived as different, facing shame and rejection due to the ordeal our country subjected them to.

They did not choose their fate or deserve what happened to them. As Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan tearfully expressed in a room filled with educators and stakeholders, "There is God," indeed there is, but He won't intervene to erase these crimes or select our leaders. We are the product of our choices.

After that, we heard no more updates. I began to suspect this story might be a deception. I believed that if there was genuine intent to locate them, they would have been found. Perhaps they were being used to mislead the world and raise funds, considering the substantial amount of money raised to support search efforts led by militants, with involvement from various NGOs

However, my belief might not be accurate, yet it reflects a parallel concern regarding why this issue remains unresolved today.

Typically, when nations face attacks like this, they are often from external sources. If any such attacks occur internally, they are swiftly dealt with. Our own militia seems to be the only force capable of countering large-scale external threats. Where have we gone wrong?

Why are certain regions of our country seemingly designated for bandits to operate freely, causing harm and destruction to villages and properties, only to be rehabilitated if caught?

Do we realize the dire consequences of remaining silent? It's deadly, and that's why our country lacks peace. The perpetrators relocate their camps frequently and operate freely. The southwest region suffered greatly in 2023. Families have paid millions in ransom to secure the release of their loved ones.

Look at the situation we're in now. The girls are coming back, but they struggle to reintegrate into society and support themselves or their families. The children they bore are stigmatized as "bad blood" and face discrimination. Their former friends shun them.

Let's move past these ongoing issues and focus on practical solutions to help the girls overcome their current challenges.

We must acknowledge the truth: they are fundamentally changed individuals now. The resilience they exhibited during their time with the bandits is beyond comprehension, as is their survival strategy. They endured the dismantling of their defenses, endured violations, and were then sold false promises of a new identity, such as being the wife of a certain leader.

1. We must empathize with them and understand that they did not choose this fate for themselves.
2. Rehabilitation centers for victims and perpetrators should be separate. If the government insists on not punishing the abusers, efforts should focus on transforming them positively.
3. The girls are transitioning from a world where they are responsible for caring for men and many children. They need relief from the ongoing burden of caring for these children. Separate centers should care for the children, allowing their mothers to focus solely on rebuilding their lives.
4. The girls should be reintegrated into formal education. While vocational skills are valuable for empowerment and meeting immediate needs, they must return to their original educational path for comprehensive development.
5. It's essential to completely sever any thoughts of returning to the men who harmed them. When undergoing such transitions, there may be a desire to revert to the familiar life they lived for the past decade. However, they deserve better and should be educated on the importance of reconnecting with their original families.
6. Sufficient resources should be allocated to facilitate a fresh start for the girls, expediting their integration into society.

I remain concerned that these measures are temporary solutions. The damage has already been inflicted, but these steps can assist in making progress. Nonetheless, what broader actions have we taken to shift the narrative regarding the governmental challenges and the Boko Haram groups we are confronting?

The issue remains unresolved.