Eight months after over 200 schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, were kidnapped from their school hostels by members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, the principal of the school, Mrs. Asabe Kwabura, said the festive period has been traumatic parents and family members of the missing girls.
In a telephone interview with our correspondent on Saturday, Kwabura said many of the Chibok parents were frustrated that the schoolgirls had yet to be found.
She said, “Before I returned to Maiduguri to celebrate the Christmas, I was with the parents in Chibok. We sympathised with one another as this period has been painful for all of us. We celebrated last year’s Christmas with the children, and all the parents enjoyed being with their wards at home. But this time around, it is not so, as their wards are still missing. It’s been a difficult period.
“My granddaughter is also among the missing girls. Her name is Dorcas Yakubu, she is 16 years old. She was always willing to help me whenever she came to visit me. Whenever I think of her and what she means to me, I feel sad.
As a mother and the principal of the school, they (Chibok girls) are all my children. So, I’m pained; it’s not been easy for us. It’s hard for everyone in the family. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do, but pray to God to bring them back home safely.
Kwabura said the missing girls usually brought her gifts during the Christmas period. “The children normally come to wish me a ‘Happy Christmas.’ Our hope is that one day, God will do a miracle and these children will come back. When they come back, we will accept them, no matter the condition they are in, they are still our wards. We just want to have them back home,” she stated.
Kwabura also lamented that the Chibok abduction had affected girls’ education in the region. “That 219 of the girls have not been found since they were abducted caused panic among parents, their family members and people in the community. It would also create a negative impact on girls’ education here. We are praying that normalcy would return to the community. We hope the parents can take their children back to school,” she said.
In the same vein, an uncle of one of the missing Chibok girls, Mr. Amos Kakani, lamented that the girls had not been found since. “My niece is 18-year-old Hannatu Ayuba. It’s not being easy for her parents. I spoke with my elder sister a day before Christmas. She’s very worried. This period has very difficult for them. They don’t know when the girls would be found,” he said.
Despite promises by the Federal Government, as well as international efforts, the location of the missing Chibok girls is still unknown. The girls were abducted from their school hostels in April. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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