Why #BringBackOurGirls Group Is Yet To Visit Chibok – Ezekwesili

The BringBackOurGirls group (BBOG), Abuja family, has stated that apart from its daily sit outs and awareness rally, it is still determined to visit Chibok, Borno State, to identify with the families of schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram sect 81 days ago.

The group, which spoke through one of its leaders – former Education Minister – Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, while fielding questions from journalists yesterday, said that during the early weeks of its advocacy, the group had applied to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for security clearance to visit Chibok, but the request has not been granted as the NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), is yet to acknowledge receipt of their letter.

The BBOG has been accused by a section of Nigerians of playing to the gallery by staging its protests in the nation’s capital instead of Chibok, where the abduction took place.

But Ezekwesili insisted that the visit to the community is important to the group as it will have the opportunity to empathise and engage with the families of the kidnapped girls, adding that the group has had many engagements with them through people from the community who were members of the BBOG.

She said, “We want to go to Chibok and see the families of the girls who have been in the hands of their abductors for over 80 days. Imagine what the families are passing through? We want to go there to empathise with them and make them know that they are not alone and that we stand by them in their anguish”.

Also speaking, chairman of Chibok Community in Abuja, Tsambido Hosea-Abana, stated that his people appreciated the activities of the BBOG, saying that the group activities was the only thing that gives them hope in their present situation.

“The group gives us hope because what government promised us have not been fulfilled. My people call us every time to ask us what is happening here. They commend this group. If it wasn’t for this group, our girls would have been forgotten”, he added.