Girls’ parents go on hunger strike

Left: One of the mothers of the missing Chibok schoolgirls wipes her tears as she cries during a rally by civil society groups in Abuja. (R)Protesters gather outside the Nigerian embassy in Washington DC, to demand action for the release of Chibok 200 schoolgirls... on Tuesday
| credits: AFP

The Head, Chibok Community in Abuja, Mr. Hosaih Sambido, on Tuesday said some parents of the abducted girls had embarked on hunger strike to protest against the incident.

Sambido said this when a former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, led a protest to the Defence Headquarters to demand the urgent release of the girls.

Sambido, who broke into tears while pleading for help from the military, said the development had instilled fear among female students in the area.

He said some parents had refused to eat as a result of the development.

Sambido said, “Since April 14 we have entered this trauma which is no more news in the whole world that insurgents came and set part of our village ablaze and cart away 276 girls. Though 53 of the girls escaped on their own effort but up till now we don’t know where the rest girls are and the situation they face.

“Their parents cannot do anything. Some have refused to eat. Some of the men mobilised themselves and went to the forest twice but they came back because the kidnappers are too strong.

“But up till this time, there is nothing like any rescue process. We are begging the Federal Government and the army to intervene in this matter. Our community is relatively small and if this generation of the same age is out, in the future where are we going to get the leaders? Can our girls go to school now? Please, help us.”

Earlier, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, had disclosed that some workers of the defence headquarters were also facing the trauma because their daughters were part of the abducted girls.

Olukolade, while reacting to the demand of the protesters, said, “Everything you said is quite understood. The chief of defence staff has said we should come and usher in your representatives and we will do that.

“But if I must say one word before we go in, I will say that everything you said here is important to us. Your concerns are our concerns, these children are our children as well.”

Pointing to the defence headquarters, Olukayode said, “In this building you have here, there are people who have children among those people (kidnapped girls). So, we share your concern and be sure that we are not leaving Nigerians alone in this.

“This meeting will enable us to explain to you the efforts that are ongoing at the level of the military and the government. Be sure that every effort is ongoing to bring back our daughters alive.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces is interested in discussing with you and we will discuss with your representatives and they will bring you feedback. We will listen to you and your protest is understood.