500 Days in Captivity: Children amidst Full Blown Terror

Five hundred (500) Days in Captivity, I can only imagine, if I was one of the Chibok Girls. I remember what it was like to be their age my biggest worry at that time was to make sure I pass my exams and don’t repeat a class to make my parents proud. Like the Chibok Girls I was in a boarding school in Jos, Plateau State of Northern Nigeria and slept in a hostel just like theirs; the difference however, was that pangs of violence and evil was not directed towards students as we have it today.

Some of the Missing Chibok Girls

 As I ponder, I have so many questions than solutions; what would a teenage girl do when terror comes in the middle of the night to capture her? How do you have an understanding of what is happening? Who do cry to for help since you are all students? How do you plead your case to a group of people that does not recognise your humanity? A group who denies you your right to your family and friends; your right to an education and a future. At what point does your basic instinct to survive kicks in against monsters with guns and weapons, a child against full blown terror. To the few girls who escaped, I commend their bravery.

For the remaining majority of Chibok Girls still detained against their will. Whose whereabouts are unknown, wherever they may be, either sold (as stated by Boko Haram leader), tortured, terrified, raped and/or pregnant, compelled to be young mothers, used as human shield. Living everyday in unpredictable conditions reflects more than just bravery, but the highest form of resilience a person could have. To be living in ultimate horror as a female teenager, it is only expected if suicidal thoughts cross their minds.

The hope is that many if not all of them are still alive, and one wonders, what is their source of motivation, is it the shear instinct to survive that is keeping them alive? Or is it their hope that someday, someone, anyone somewhere would rescue them. Do they encourage each other (that is if they are in the same location)? Are they hoping the Government, any Government or the International Community is coming for them? Do they pray that the world would not be silent on them?

Chibok Girls paraded by Boko Haram to the world

            “…no biblical hell could ever be worse than a state of PERPETUAL INCONSEQUENCE.”
                                                                       Margaret F. Rosenthal

 Or somewhere between Day 30 to Day 500 (assuming), they have given up on humanity, on you and me, on the Government and International Community? Are they tired of waiting for freedom? Have they become Boko Haram sympathizers, assuming no one cares for them or is coming for them? Have they decided to survive by doing what is necessary, even if it means they become members of the terrorist group? What would you do if you were in their shoes? What would you do if your teenage daughter was captured for over 500 days?

Bring Back Our Girls Group Abuja

In conclusion, a commendation to a group of dedicated Nigerians who have dedicated themselves to make sure that the Chibok Girls are never forgotten. The Bring Back Our Girls Group keeps wake everyday between 4 – 6pm at the Unity Garden in centre of the nation’s Capital Abuja. The Chibok Girls may not be aware but there are people besides their family and community who care for them and will stand for them until their return. The Federal Government of Nigeria as well as the International Community has also rededicated their mission to finding the missing Chibok Girls as soon as possible. By the time the Chibok girls are found, however, would they have been saved? One too many days of hell are too much for even the toughest soul to bear, much less of a child, 500 Days in captivity, what would you do about it?

 #BringBackOurGirls