Twelve years after the mass abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, grieving parents have renewed calls for urgent action to secure the release of those still in captivity.
In an open letter issued on Monday, representatives of the Parents of the Still Missing Chibok Girls—Yana Galang and Zanna Lawan—said 87 of the abducted girls remain unaccounted for, describing the situation as an enduring humanitarian crisis.
The parents appealed to the Nigerian government, the United Nations, and the global community to intensify coordinated efforts to locate and rescue the missing victims.
“For the families, this is not a past tragedy but an ongoing reality,” the group stated, stressing that the pain of uncertainty has persisted for over a decade.
They urged authorities to sustain and strengthen rescue operations while ensuring accountability, warning against waning attention to the case.
“This is not only a national issue but a test of global resolve. The responsibility to act does not diminish with time,” the letter read.
The parents also cautioned against allowing the tragedy to become symbolic without resolution, insisting that justice will only be achieved when every missing girl is accounted for.
The abduction, carried out on April 14, 2014, by Boko Haram militants at the Government Girls Secondary School, sparked global outrage and gave rise to the #BringBackOurGirls movement.
While dozens of the girls have since been rescued or escaped through military operations and negotiations, many remain missing, highlighting the long-term impact of insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East.
The Federal Government has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to recovering the remaining girls, but families say sustained and intensified action is needed to bring closure to one of the country’s most painful chapters.
