From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Truth Alliance, a non-governmental organization, dedicated to uncovering the truth behind violent extremist groups and empowering communities to resist tyranny and violence, has kicked off a campaign tagged ‘Time to Tell the Truth’.
The campaign is part of its activities to mark the abduction of over 270 school girls from Chibok by the terrorist group Boko Haram.
In a statement titled: Chibok Girls @10: Never Again and Never Forgotten, the group said, “Through education, outreach, and collaborative efforts, we strive to create a safer and more resilient society for all Nigerians.
“In our campaign dubbed ‘Time to Tell the Truth’, the Truth Alliance aims to expose the tactics employed by violent extremist groups to recruit and radicalise young people. Our message is clear: These groups manipulate, deceive, and destroy, but their ideology is fundamentally flawed and weak.”
It called on all Nigerians to join the campaign and stand against the suffering inflicted by violent extremist groups. Stressing that by so doing lives will be saved, communities protect, and the values of peace, tolerance, and unity will be upheld.
The statement read: “Ten years ago, the world was shocked by the abduction of over 270 innocent girls from Chibok by the terrorist group Boko Haram. While some have managed to escape and others have been returned, many remain missing, their fate unknown.
“In the decade since this tragic event, numerous violent extremist groups have continued to perpetrate acts of terror, wreaking havoc and causing untold suffering among countless innocent Nigerians.
These groups thrive on spreading fear, death, and destruction, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
“As an alliance of NGOs and Civil Society groups, we have united under the banner of ‘Time to Tell the Truth’ to shed light on the harsh realities of life inside these extremist groups. We aim to expose the lies and deceptions they employ to lure individuals into joining their ranks and carrying out their agenda of destruction.
“On this solemn 10-year anniversary, we stand together to remind the authorities and all relevant stakeholders that the abduction of the Chibok girls remains a poignant chapter in our national history—a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by violent extremist groups. It serves as a solemn call to action to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.
“Beyond the Chibok girls themselves, we recognize that there are “Chibok Girls” in every community—girl-children who, against all odds, strive to pursue education and a better future. Their resilience embodies the spirit of hope amidst adversity, and it is our collective responsibility to safeguard their right to education and security.
“We invite all Nigerians to join our campaign and stand against the suffering inflicted by violent extremist groups. Together, we can save lives, protect our communities, and uphold the values of peace, tolerance, and unity.”
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