Since 2014, more than 1,700 children have been abducted by gunmen. In the past six years alone, there have been 17 mass school abductions. Additionally, 20 of the released Chibok girls were forced to marry former Boko Haram fighters.
Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian authorities to make a greater effort to ensure the safe release and return of the remaining 82 Chibok school girls who were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014. They also emphasize the need to protect schools from child abductions, which have become more frequent in the decade following the notorious raid by the armed group in northern Nigeria.
Today marks 10 years since 276 girls were abducted from Chibok secondary school in Borno state on April 14, 2014. Since then, there have been at least 17 cases of mass abductions involving over 1,700 children taken from their schools by gunmen and subjected to serious abuse, including rape.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, expressed shock at the lack of progress in preventing attacks on schools over the past decade. He called for the Nigerian authorities to take action to end these attacks on children and their schools, which could potentially be considered war crimes.
Despite the launch of the Safe Schools Initiative to enhance school security after the Chibok abductions, its implementation has been hindered by bureaucratic obstacles and corruption allegations. This has led to the closure of hundreds of schools in northern states and disrupted the education of thousands of children.
Investigations by Amnesty International show that the 2014 abductions continue to impact education in Chibok and its surrounding communities. Although the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok was rebuilt, parents are still hesitant to send their children to school due to fears of Boko Haram abduction.
Amnesty International is urging the Nigerian authorities to investigate allegations of forced marriage between 20 Chibok women rescued in recent years and former Boko Haram fighters. These forced marriages, organized by the Borno state government, raise concerns about the girls’ rights and well-being.
Parents and relatives of the abducted girls who remain in captivity lament the lack of government support and information about efforts to secure their release. Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to redouble efforts to ensure the safe release of all captives, including the 82 remaining Chibok girls.
As the anniversary of the abductions approaches, Amnesty International stresses the need for a comprehensive plan to safeguard schools and children, as well as support for girls who have escaped or been rescued from Boko Haram. They also highlight the ongoing anguish of parents whose daughters are still held captive by the group.
A report by Amnesty International to be released next month will detail crimes and violations committed by Boko Haram and the Nigerian military against girls associated with the group since the conflict began in north-east Nigeria in 2013. The report will also address their unique reintegration needs and aspirations for rebuilding their lives.
Background: In April 2014, 276 schoolgirls were abducted from Chibok, with 82 still in captivity. Amnesty International has been documenting Boko Haram’s atrocities and school targeting since 2012. They have also published reports on the impact of the conflict on children in Northeast Nigeria.