The Bring Back Our Girls Campaign

The Chibok Abduction

On the night of April 14-15, 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria, by the terrorist group Boko Haram. The girls, mostly aged between 16 and 18, were taken from their dormitories during the night as they prepared for their physics examination.

The abduction occurred in the context of Boko Haram's insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, which began in 2009. The group, whose name roughly translates to "Western education is forbidden," had targeted schools before, but the scale of the Chibok kidnapping was unprecedented and shocked the nation and the world.

Birth of the Movement

In the days following the abduction, there was relatively little media coverage or government response. This perceived inaction sparked outrage among many Nigerians. The Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement emerged from this frustration:

  • Origins: The hashtag #BringBackOurGirls was first used on Twitter by Ibrahim M. Abdullahi, a lawyer from Abuja, who was inspired by a comment made by former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili at an event.
  • Early Protests: The first BBOG protest was held in Abuja on April 30, 2014, with participants demanding more government action to rescue the girls.
  • Global Spread: The hashtag quickly went viral, gaining over 4 million tweets within a month and attracting support from global figures including Michelle Obama, Malala Yousafzai, and numerous celebrities.
  • Organization: What began as a hashtag evolved into a structured movement with regular sit-ins, marches, and advocacy activities, particularly in Abuja.

Key Leaders and Organizers

Oby Ezekwesili

A former Minister of Education and Vice President of the World Bank's Africa division, Ezekwesili became the most prominent face of the movement. Her international profile helped bring global attention to the cause.

Aisha Yesufu

A businesswoman and activist who became known for her passionate advocacy and fearless confrontation of authorities. She later became a prominent figure in the #EndSARS protests as well.

Hadiza Bala Usman

One of the co-founders of the movement who later served as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Bukky Shonibare

A strategic team member who maintained the movement's database of the missing girls and coordinated various advocacy initiatives.

Activities and Strategies

The BBOG movement employed various strategies to maintain pressure on the government and keep the Chibok girls in public consciousness:

  • Daily Sit-outs: For years, BBOG members held daily sit-outs at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, creating a consistent physical reminder of the missing girls.
  • Marches and Protests: The group organized marches to the Presidential Villa and other government offices to deliver petitions and demands.
  • Media Engagement: BBOG maintained a strong media presence, giving interviews, holding press conferences, and using social media to share updates.
  • International Advocacy: Leaders traveled internationally to speak at forums, meet with foreign governments, and build global support.
  • Documentation: The movement meticulously documented information about each missing girl, including names, photos when available, and details of those who were rescued or escaped.
  • Commemoration: BBOG held events to mark milestones such as the 100th, 500th, and 1000th days of captivity, ensuring the issue remained in public consciousness.

Government Response

The Nigerian government's response to both the abduction and the BBOG movement evolved over time and across two administrations:

Jonathan Administration (2014-2015)

  • Initial Denial: Some government officials initially questioned whether the abduction had actually occurred.
  • Delayed Response: President Goodluck Jonathan did not make a public statement about the kidnapping until more than two weeks after it occurred.
  • International Assistance: Eventually, the government accepted offers of intelligence and technical support from countries including the US, UK, France, and China.
  • Tension with BBOG: Relations between the movement and the government were often strained, with some officials viewing the campaign as politically motivated.

Buhari Administration (2015-2023)

  • Campaign Promise: Muhammadu Buhari made rescuing the Chibok girls a campaign promise during the 2015 election.
  • Initial Engagement: The new administration initially showed more openness to the BBOG movement, with President Buhari meeting with the parents of the missing girls and BBOG leaders.
  • Negotiations and Releases: The government negotiated the release of 103 girls in two groups—21 in October 2016 and 82 in May 2017—reportedly in exchange for Boko Haram prisoners and payment.
  • Later Tensions: As time passed, relations between BBOG and the government deteriorated, with authorities occasionally restricting the movement's protests and accusing it of being politically motivated.

Status of the Chibok Girls

Over the years, many of the Chibok girls have returned home through various means, though a significant number remain missing:

  • Escaped: 57 girls escaped shortly after the abduction by jumping from the trucks or fleeing from captivity in the early days.
  • Negotiated Releases: 103 girls were released through negotiations between the government and Boko Haram in 2016 and 2017.
  • Military Rescues: Several girls have been rescued during military operations in the Sambisa Forest and other Boko Haram strongholds.
  • Ongoing Escapes: Girls continue to escape or be found, with several returning between 2021 and 2023.
  • Still Missing: As of 2023, approximately 90 girls remain unaccounted for, more than nine years after their abduction.

Many of the returned girls have been enrolled in educational programs, including at the American University of Nigeria in Yola and other institutions, though their reintegration has presented significant challenges.

Impact and Legacy

The Bring Back Our Girls movement has had several lasting impacts on Nigerian society and politics:

  • Global Awareness: The campaign brought unprecedented international attention to the Boko Haram insurgency and its impact on civilians, particularly women and girls.
  • Civil Society Mobilization: BBOG demonstrated the potential of sustained, focused advocacy to influence government action and public discourse.
  • Digital Activism: The movement was one of Nigeria's first major social media campaigns, setting a template for later movements like #EndSARS.
  • Political Impact: The handling of the Chibok abduction became a significant issue in the 2015 election, contributing to President Jonathan's defeat.
  • Policy Changes: The incident and subsequent advocacy led to increased attention to school security and the establishment of the Safe Schools Initiative.
  • Ongoing Influence: BBOG leaders have remained influential in Nigerian civil society, with many taking on roles in other movements and initiatives.

Broader Context: Mass Abductions in Nigeria

While the Chibok abduction was the most high-profile case, it was part of a broader pattern of mass kidnappings in Nigeria:

  • Dapchi Abduction (2018): 110 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Dapchi, Yobe State. Most were released a month later, though Leah Sharibu remains in captivity for refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
  • Kankara Kidnapping (2020): Over 300 boys were abducted from a school in Kankara, Katsina State, and later released after negotiations.
  • Jangebe Abduction (2021): 279 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Jangebe, Zamfara State, and released after several days.
  • Other Incidents: Numerous other mass abductions have occurred, with criminal gangs increasingly adopting kidnapping for ransom as a tactic.

These subsequent abductions have not generated the same level of sustained advocacy as the Chibok case, though BBOG has attempted to highlight these incidents as well.

Current Status of the Movement

While the intensity of the BBOG campaign has diminished over time, the movement continues in various forms:

  • Reduced Visibility: The daily sit-outs and regular protests have become less frequent, though the movement still organizes events on significant anniversaries.
  • Continued Advocacy: BBOG continues to advocate for the remaining missing girls and for broader issues of security and education.
  • Leadership Changes: Some original leaders have moved on to other roles, though many remain committed to the cause.
  • Expanded Focus: The movement has broadened its advocacy to include other mass abductions and security issues affecting Nigerian children.

Despite the passage of time, the Chibok abduction and the BBOG movement remain powerful symbols in Nigerian public consciousness, representing both the country's security challenges and the potential of citizen advocacy to drive change.

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