Chibok Girls: Nigerian Military For Rescuing 293 Women And Girls From Boko Haram Captivity

Parents Of Chibok Schoolgirls

The Amnesty International (AI) has commended the Nigerian military for rescuing 293 women and girls from Boko Haram captivity, saying that apart from the Chibok girls, there are over 2,000 women in captivity.

In a statement made available yesterday by its Africa Director, Research and Advocacy, Netsanet Belay, the Amnesty International described the rescue of the women and girls as an encouraging development, saying ,however, that it is ”only a small step in securing the safety of the thousands of women and girls abducted by the armed group since 2014.

The AI further called on the military authorities to ensure that the trauma of those ‘rescued’ is not exacerbated by lengthy security screening in detention.

The statement reads in part, “This development is just cause for celebration and undoubtedly an immense relief to the women, girls and their families.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg; there are thousands more women and girls, and men and boys who have been abducted by Boko Haram.

“The military said they ‘rescued’ the women in an offensive against the armed group in the Sambisa forest area in the north-east.

“According to a recent Amnesty International report, more than 2,000 women and girls have been abducted by Boko Haram.

Drawing from interviews with those who escaped, the report reveals how civilians were executed, tortured, raped and forced into marriage in camps and towns controlled by Boko Haram.

“In previous cases where women and girls have escaped from Boko Haram they have been detained for weeks on end for security screening.

Amnesty International is calling on the authorities to ensure that their physical and psychological well-being is paramount.