NIGERIA: The Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN) has called on the federal government of Nigeria to prosecute the abductors of two of the abducted students of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state who have been released by their abductors.
The Group frowned at the forceful abduction and marriage of the girls who are now being released one after the other.
In a press statement signed by the Research and Press Officer, Reuben Buhari, the group wants the government to ensure the full application of the law on the abductors of the Chibok schoolgirls.
Referring Hassana Adamu and Ruth Ngladar Pogu who had been released by their abductors alongside their children, the Group stated that the girls did not go into the marriage willfully as their fundamental human rights were violated.
What the statement says
“After seven years in forceful, dehumanising and unlawful captivity, two abducted students of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state have been found.
“The Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN), expresses its joy on this promising good news that holds the prospect of more girls getting their freedom.
“First, it was Ruth Ngladar Pogu and the man erroneously referred to as her ‘husband’ who presented themselves to the security on July 28, 2021, in Bama, then on Saturday, July 14, 2021, Hassana Adamu was also found with two children in Gwoza. Both girls were found with children from their abductors.
“However, our concern stems from the fundamental human rights of these girls that were willfully violated. They were forcefully abducted from their school when they were preparing to write an exam.
“After being taken away from their families, friends and society, they were forcefully and unlawfully given off to terrorists who were part of those who denied them their right to an education in the first place.”
The Group’s Concern
The CSWN expressed concern over the use of the terminology of ‘husband’ in describing those that forced themselves on these girls and eventually impregnated them.
“It is disheartening and insensitive to the victims to describe the terrorists as their husbands.
“These characters have committed terrorism, rape, murder, abduction, forced marriage, gender violence and destruction of properties among other crimes against the Nigerian state, including a violation of the fundamental human rights of these girls and others.
“We, in CSWN, in view of the fact that Nigeria is governed by laws, call for the full application of all relevant laws on those who violated these girls.
“This would show the supremacy of law over lawlessness and impunity, and a consolation to the victims of insurgency trying to rebuild their lives or still wallowing in IDP camps.”
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The Group further called on the Federal Government to take full responsibility for rehabilitating the freed girls adding that the girls have faced unimaginable impact for the past seven years.
“The girls have suffered unimaginable violations of their rights for seven years with debilitating impact on their future.”
About the Chibok School Girls
On the night of 15 April 2014, 276 mostly Christain female students aged from 16 to 18 were kidnapped by the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School at the town of Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria.
The girls were in school to take their final examinations.
About 82 were freed in 2017 after mediation. A few others have escaped or been rescued, but about 113 of the girls are believed to be held still by the militant group.
