Chibok abduction: Parents demand global action as 87 girls remain missing

By Lukman Olabiyi

Twelve years after the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, parents of the victims have renewed calls for urgent international intervention to secure the return of those still missing.

In an open letter issued at the weekend, the parents through Yana Galang and Zanna Lawan, said 87 of the abducted girls remain unaccounted for, describing their continued captivity as a painful reminder of unfulfilled commitments by both national and global stakeholders.

The April 14, 2014 abduction, which drew widespread condemnation and sparked a global advocacy campaign for the protection of girls’ education, remains one of Nigeria’s most troubling security incidents.

While dozens of the girls have since been rescued or released over the years, the parents said the situation is far from resolved, stressing that the anguish of affected families persists.

“For the families, this is not a past tragedy but an ongoing reality,” the statement said, noting that “the passage of time has not lessened the uncertainty faced by those still waiting for answers.”

They urged the Federal Government to intensify ongoing rescue efforts and ensure accountability, while also calling on the United Nations and international partners to sustain attention on the case.

“We want to once again passionately call on the Nigerian government to sustain and strengthen efforts to locate the missing girls and to ensure accountability. We are also urging the United Nations and international partners to maintain attention on the case and support measures aimed at protecting children in conflict-affected areas,” the letter read.

Describing the crisis as one that transcends national boundaries, the parents warned against waning global interest in the plight of the girls.

“This is not only a national issue but a test of global resolve. The responsibility to act does not diminish with time,” they said.

The parents further called for coordinated and transparent actions, including sustained search operations and broader strategies to safeguard access to education, particularly for girls in vulnerable communities.

They cautioned that the Chibok abduction must not be reduced to mere symbolism, insisting that justice and closure remain elusive until every missing girl is accounted for.

The letter, dated April 13, 2026, was signed by Yana Galang and Zanna Lawan on behalf of the Parents of the Still Missing Chibok Girls.