Nine years after Boko Haram kidnapped 276 students from a girls’ school in Chibok, 98 girls are still being held captive by the group, and numerous other kidnappings have since occurred, Amnesty International said yesterday. This shows how the Nigerian government completely failed to learn from the tragedy of Chibok and, ultimately, to protect children.

“Since the Chibok schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram, a plethora of schools have been targeted, with girls being kidnapped, raped, killed, or forced into marriages,” said Isa Sanusi, acting Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

“The Nigerian authorities, however, have not carried out a single credible investigation into the security failures that left children vulnerable to the atrocities committed by Boko Haram and gunmen.

“Parents of the 98 Chibok schoolgirls, who are still being held by Boko Haram, as well as other children abducted by gunmen, are living in anguish, knowing that their children are in the hands of ruthless individuals who subject their loved ones to chilling brutalities.

“It is beyond time that the Nigerian authorities took meaningful action to counter armed groups like Boko Haram and gunmen. Nigeria has an obligation to implement safeguards to protect all children, and the lack of accountability for these callous crimes is fueling impunity.

“The missing Chibok schoolgirls should be returned home to their families, and all those responsible for committing grave violations must face justice.”

In northern Nigeria, including Kankara, Kagara, Jangebe, Damishi Kaduna, Tegina, and Yawuri, at least five reported cases of abductions, including those from schools, occurred between December 2020 and March 2021. Additionally, the threat of additional attacks has forced the closure of more than 600 schools in the region’s north.