Chibok parents plead for renewed efforts to rescue abducted schoolgirls 12 years on
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Parents of the Chibok schoolgirls, abducted 12 years ago from Borno State, have issued an open letter calling on the Nigerian government, the United Nations, and the international community to intensify efforts to secure the release of the 87 girls still missing. The abduction occurred on April 14, 2014, when Boko Haram militants seized 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, an event that sparked global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. While some girls have escaped or been rescued over the years, dozens remain unaccounted for. The parents, represented by Yana Galang and Zanna Lawan, emphasized that the situation is an ongoing tragedy and that the passage of time has not diminished their pain or the uncertainty surrounding their daughters' fate. They urged authorities to strengthen search efforts and ensure accountability, warning against allowing the case to fade from global attention or be reduced to mere symbolism without a resolution. The Federal Government has consistently stated that recovering the remaining girls is a national priority.
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Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated that he relies on his wife's prayers for continued support from President Bola Tinubu, highlighting its importance for ministers to fulfill their mandates. Speaking at the inauguration of the Water Supply Network to Bwari Satellite Town, Wike mentioned that his administration has officially commissioned 50 projects and plans to commission 10 more before January. He stressed that presidential backing is crucial for performance, drawing from his experience as a former governor and minister. Wike revealed he asks his wife to pray for the President's continued support for the FCT Administration, acknowledging the support received has enabled positive changes. He added that governance aims to improve citizens' lives, a goal he believes the Tinubu administration is working towards.
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A coroner's court in the United Kingdom has ruled that Beatrice Solomon, a 27-year-old Nigerian woman, died by suicide. Ms. Solomon, who moved to the UK in November 2023 on a skilled worker visa, was found unresponsive in her Stanfield home. Her husband, Damian Butler, discovered her upon returning home from work. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene. Police investigators ruled out any third-party involvement. During the inquest, Mr. Butler stated that his wife had struggled with her mental health for the past year, attributing it to issues with Stoke-on-Trent City Council. He also revealed that Ms. Solomon had made two previous attempts to take her own life. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death as oxygen deprivation. Coroner Li Hammond-Naylor concluded that Ms. Solomon died by suicide, noting that she had researched and planned the act. Ms. Solomon, a caregiver, is survived by her husband, a son, and her siblings.