Lawan Zanna, a father from Chibok village in northeastern Nigeria, continues to pray for his daughter Aisha, who was among the 276 schoolgirls abducted by Islamic extremists a decade ago. The 2014 Chibok kidnapping, which shocked the world and led to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, remains a haunting memory for Zanna and many others.
Since the Chibok incident, over 1,400 students have been kidnapped in Nigeria, with most being released after ransom payments or government-backed deals. Unfortunately, the perpetrators often escape justice, raising concerns about the safety and security of schools in the country.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Chibok tragedy, a collaborative film project titled 'Statues Also Breathe' was screened in Lagos. The film, produced by French artist Prune Nourry and Nigeria’s Obafemi Awolowo University, aims to raise awareness about the missing girls and the global struggle for girls’ education.
The film features 108 sculptures representing the missing girls, capturing their likeness based on family-provided images. It also includes emotional accounts from freed women who endured captivity, shedding light on the hardships they faced.
Despite some women being freed, many remain missing, with reports suggesting they may have been forcibly married to extremists. The lack of updates on efforts to locate the missing girls has left families in anguish and activists calling for more government action.
Analysts warn that security lapses in schools persist, with only 43% of surveyed schools meeting minimum safety standards. The inadequate security measures and overstretched military and police personnel further exacerbate the risks faced by students.
As the Chibok community reflects on a decade of pain and loss, the plight of the missing girls serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in Nigeria. The need for improved security, support for victims, and accountability for perpetrators remains critical to prevent future tragedies.
