Foundation Unveils Exhibition to Promote Chibok Girls’ Return
The Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) has inaugurated a new exhibition titled 'The Stolen Daughters of Chibok' to mark the 12th anniversary of the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. This poignant event serves as a visual retrospective, chronicling one of Nigeria's most profound tragedies and aiming to reignite public awareness and empathy.
A Tragic Anniversary Remembered
On April 14, 2014, heavily armed members of the terrorist group Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-jihad, commonly known as Boko Haram, forcibly abducted 276 girls and young women from the school in Chibok. Over the years, 187 girls have returned home, but 89 remain declared missing, leaving families in prolonged anguish and uncertainty.
The exhibition, originally launched at SOAS, University of London, is now hosted at the foundation's office in Ikoyi, Lagos. It will be open every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until April 30, 2026. Beyond a mere photo display, it is designed as a powerful commemoration to ensure the victims are not forgotten.
Combating Public Amnesia
Speaking at the unveiling, Nenkangmun Deshi, a research analyst with the foundation, explained that the exhibition aims to combat what she described as public amnesia surrounding the tragedy. "In the early years, there was global attention. But over time, people have forgotten. So this exhibition is to remind society that these girls still matter and their lives, dreams and aspirations are still valid," she stated.
Deshi lamented Nigeria's worsening security situation, noting that abductions targeting school children have spread beyond the Northeast to other regions. She recalled that since two Chibok girls were released in 2014, no new rescues have been made, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to free the remaining captives.
Voices of Pain and Advocacy
Mrs. Habibat Balogun, co-founder of the BringBackOurGirls Movement (Lagos Chapter), emphasized that the prolonged wait for answers has deepened family pain and exposed ongoing security failures. "This is a very sad and tragic anniversary. We never imagined it would last more than 12 months. Here we are, 12 years later," she said, calling on the Federal Government to provide more closures for survivors and their families.
Oluwatosin Alagbe, MMF's Head of Operations, described the anniversary as a painful reminder of a tragedy that continues to shape lives over a decade later. She highlighted that the exhibition features works by Dr. Akintunde Akinleye, the first Nigerian photographer to win the World Press Photo Prize, who has maintained a dignified relationship with the Chibok community.
Personal Stories of Survival and Loss
One survivor, Juliana Yakubu, who was 17 at the time of the abduction, recounted her ordeal, spending three years in captivity before her release in 2017 alongside 82 other girls. Her testimony underscores the deep, lasting pain experienced by victims.
Yahi Bwata, a parent whose daughter was among those kidnapped and later released in 2017, revealed that 48 parents of the abducted girls have died without knowing their daughters' fate. He urgently called on the government to take decisive action to save families who have endured over a decade of suffering.
This exhibition not only honors the Chibok girls but also serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges and the need for sustained efforts to address such crises in Nigeria.
