The Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN) has called for full application of all relevant laws of the country on those who violated students of Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State.
The group frowned at the Nigerian government for continuing with what it called “its re-radicalisation programme that birthed the worrying terminology of repentant terrorists”.
A statement issued in Kaduna by its Research and Press Officer, Reuben Buhari, yesterday, lamented that after seven years in forceful, dehumanising and unlawful captivity, two abducted students of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok have been found, whose fundamental human rights were willfully violated.
It would be recalled that the school was invaded on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram terrorists and 276 girls were taken away, some escaped, some died and about 100 remain missing till date.
The statement noted, “Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN) expresses its joy on this promising good news that holds the prospect of more girls getting their freedom. First, it was Ruth Ngladar Pogu and the man erroneously referred to as her ‘husband’ who presented themselves to the security on July 28, 2021, in Bama, then on Saturday, July 14, 2021, Hassana Adamu was also found with two children in Gwoza. Both girls were found with children from their abductors.”
The group lamented that its concern stems from the fundamental human rights of the girls that were willfully violated by their abductors, saying that they were forcefully abducted from their school when they were preparing to write an exam.
Worst still, the group observed that after being taken away from their families, friends and society, they were forcefully and unlawfully given off to terrorists who were part of those who denied them their right to an education in the first place.
The group lamented, “While CSWN is happy that the two girls were reunited with their parents, it has, however, become a great concern to us on the careless use of the terminology – ‘husband’, in describing those that forced themselves on these girls and eventually sired children with them. It is disheartening and insensitive to the victims to describe the terrorists as their husbands.”
According to the Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, these characters (abductors) have committed terrorism, rape, murder, abduction, forced marriage, gender violence and destruction of properties, among other crimes against the Nigerian state, including a violation of the fundamental human rights of these girls and others.
The statement added that the girls have suffered unimaginable violations of their rights for seven years with debilitating impact on their future.
It explained also that their parents have gone through excruciating pain, with some even dying from the trauma of having their children abducted, saying that these infractions stand in stark contrast to the ideals of freedom that the Nigerian constitution guarantees them.
The group regretted that the Nigerian government may continue with what it called “its re-radicalisation programme that birthed the worrying terminology of repentant terrorists”, but called those responsible for what the girls went through should be brought to face the full wrath of the law.
It bringing them to face the law would show the supremacy of law over lawlessness and impunity, adding that a consolation to the victims of insurgency trying to rebuild their lives or still wallowing in IDP camps.
The group, therefore, called on the Federal Government to take full responsibility of rehabilitating the freed girls as a measure of its commitment to the enthronement of a decent society that Nigeria aspires to be.