We remember the night of 14-15 April 2014 when over 200 school girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram.
Twelve years later, the pain of that night still lingers. Though some of the girls escaped or were later rescued, some are still missing. As of recent reports, dozens are still unaccounted for, a stark reminder that the crisis is far from over. The abduction sparked global outrage and gave rise to the Bring Back Our Girls (#BBOG) movement, which amplified the demand for the safe return of the girls and accountability for their abduction.
The Chibok girls tragedy is not an isolated incident. It exposes deeper issues around the vulnerability of girls’ education, insecurity in schools and communities, and the use of women and girls as targets in conflict. Reports indicate that thousands of women and girls have been abducted in the years after the Chibok incident, with many subjected to forced marriages, exploitation, and violence. For those who have returned, the journey is not over. Many survivors face psychological trauma, social stigma, and barriers to reintegration and education.
Twelve years on, the message remains clear: We must not forget. We must not be silent. The commemoration of the Chibok girls is not only about remembrance, it is also about renewed commitment:
To protect children, especially girls, from violence.
To ensure safe and inclusive education.
To support survivors with dignity and care.
To demand accountability and justice.
The impact goes beyond physical harm; it affects identity, dignity, and the future of entire communities. Every year, the anniversary asks us the same question: Where are the remaining girls? Until every girl is accounted for, the call continues: Bring Back Our Girls!
SOURCES:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2026). A decade after Chibok, Nigeria confronts new surge in child abductions. https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2026/01/decade-after-chibok-nigeria-confronts-new-surge-child-abductions
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2025). Nigeria: UN committee finds grave violations persist after Chibok abduction. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/nigeria-un-committee-finds-grave-and-systematic-violations-persist-after
Amnesty International (2024). Nigeria: Decade after Chibok attack, dozens of girls still in captivity. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/04/nigeria-decade-after-boko-haram-attack-on-chibok-82-girls-still-in-captivity/
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2017). UN experts mark anniversary with plea for “forgotten” Chibok girls. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2017/04/un-experts-mark-third-anniversary-nigeria-kidnapping-new-plea-forgotten
BBC News (2017). Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping: What happened and where are they now? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32299943