The Nightmare of the Chibok Girls, Other Abductees, Must End, Urges UNFPA

On the anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok Girls from their secondary school in north-eastern Nigeria, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of the 219 girls still missing, as well all other persons held against their will. 

“One year of captivity is a long time for anyone to bear,” said Dr. Osotimehin. “It has been a year full of unimaginable suffering and anguish, not just for the girls, their families and their communities, but also for the world at large. It is time for the girls and all other abductees to resume their lives in peace. It is time for this nightmare to come to an end.”

"UNFPA remains firmly committed to helping the affected girls and their families and communities,” added Dr. Osotimehin. “As part of the United Nations Country Team, UNFPA is helping the 57 girls who escaped their ordeal readjust to a life of freedom. We are addressing the girls’ reproductive health and psychosocial needs, and we are providing one-on-one and group counselling to the families and to the Chibok community. We stand ready to support each of the remaining girls, once they are released, and to continue helping the affected communities, way after the nightmare is over. We also appeal for all persons to be released safely to rejoin their families.”