By Temilade Aruya
THERE was a huge sigh of relief across the country and, indeed, beyond, as 21 out of the over 200 Chibok girls that were abducted from their school, Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno State, were released last month by their captors – the Boko Haram sect.
After a series of unsuccessful negotiations between the Federal Government and the sect, a breakthrough was finally recorded as 21 out of the girls, who had been in captivity for over two years were released. It was, without doubt, an emotionally charged atmosphere as family members and loved ones waited anxiously for the arrival of the fortunate 21 girls.
After two years of waiting, pains, anguish, expectations and near hopelessness, it is understandable that emotion was at an all time high as parents and loved ones waited to catch a glimpse of the lucky returning girls. Suddenly, especially for some of the distraught parents, all the pains and anguish disappeared at the sight of the girls. It was such an emotional reunion to behold as a father virtually carried his daughter on his back, jubilating.
The sight of the girls, emaciated and tattered actually told the story of their troubled years in captivity. It also painted a grim picture of what they passed through while in captivity. At the same time, it impresses upon all the prevailing precarious circumstance of the remaining girls in captivity and the danger they are exposed to, while driving home the urgency for the speedy release of the remaining girls.
The abduction of the Chibok girls was one gory event that held the country. Eventually, the Federal Government was left with little or no option but to negotiate with the sect. Unfortunately, the approach of the immediate past government to the issue did not really help matters. The initial unbelief by the administration on the matter was partly responsible for the ordeal experienced by the girls. To a large extent, it is not impossible that the notion that there was no abduction in the first instance, played a major part in the way and manner the Jonathan administration handled the matter. The successful negotiation is, therefore, no doubt a major breakthrough for the Buhari administration as it gives a lot of credibility to the government as an administration that can be trusted.
The release of the 21 girls should also be seen as a major victory for all groups and individuals that have been agitating for their release. In this regard, special mention must be made of the Bring Back Our Girls, (BBOG), group for its relentless clamour for the release of the Chibok girls. The group has been so unyielding in its demand for the girls’ release that it almost became a ‘nuisance’ to the powers that be. But then, it is to their credit that their efforts eventually paid off.
One good thing about the release of the 21 girls is that it gives hope to Nigerians that the remaining girls could soon be freed. It is, however, important that the federal government, all agencies of government concerned and all major stakeholders such as the BBOG group must not rest on their oars in ensuring that this hope is not dashed.
Now that the girls have been be released, government must do all within its powers to ensure their well-being and up-keep. Good enough, President Buhari was recently quoted to have assured that the returning girls would be given the best that can be obtained in any part of the world. He must keep his words. The journey to freedom is still far ahead and it begins with a step. These girls have gone through physical, psychological, emotional and sexual trauma which will take time, patience and resources to heal.
Therefore, government must be committed to seeing their rehabilitation through to the end. The families and parents of the girls equally require the assistance of the government in every possible and practical way. It is also important that the process of recovery is not hijacked by charlatans and unscrupulous elements to exploit and divert resources meant for the welfare of the girls as was in the case of internally displaced persons (IDP) in IDP camps in the Northern parts of the country. This must not be another wild goose chase; government must fulfill all its promises to the girls and their families by ensuring the full rehabilitation and reintegration of the girls back to society.
While the Federal Government continues to negotiate for the release of the remaining girls, all hands must be on deck to support the government in that direction. Nothing should be done to jeopardize the process. Government must also sustain negotiations with the fraction of the Boko Haram sect that is in custody of the girls.
Perhaps, more importantly, never must such a gory incidence be allowed to happen in our nation again. Everything must be done by the federal government to ensure the security of lives and properties of Nigerians in any part of the country. This is a primary responsibility of governments across the world. In particular, the safety of children and teenagers across the country must not in any way be compromised, for any reason.
Thus, more should be done concerning the safety of students in all schools across the country. Security should be beefed up within school premises, including tertiary institutions, to prevent further abduction of students. Schools should empower their students with safety tips and education by putting in place a well structured safety plan which will involve yearly emergency drills and review. Parents and guardians should also equip their wards with necessary information and collaborate with their schools on agreed safety measures and plans. Over all, the Chibok girls’ nightmare should never be experienced again.
Aruya writes from Lagos
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