Christian body demands prosecution of insurgents who married abducted Chibok girls

The Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN) has demanded justice for Ruth Ngladar Pogu(pictured) and Hassana Adamu, two girls from Chibok, Borno state, who recently reemerged after seven years in captivity.

Pogu and Adamu are among the students abducted when Boko Haram insurgents attacked Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS) in Chibok on April 14, 2014.

While in captivity, the two girls gave birth to two children each and they returned home with their captors who claimed to be their “husbands”.

The Christian body, in a statement signed by Reuben Buhari, its research and press officer, said the “violators of the girls who parade themselves as their husbands” must be brought to justice.

The group said the insurgents who forcefully “married” the girls should not be allowed to escape justice, adding that it is disheartening and insensitive to describe them as their husbands.

“After seven years in forceful, dehumanising and unlawful captivity, two abducted students of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state have been found,” the statement reads.

“First, it was Ruth Ngladar Pogu and the man erroneously referred to as her ‘husband’ who presented themselves to the security on July 28, 2021, in Bama.

“On  Saturday, July 14, 2021, Hassana Adamu was also found with two children in Gwoza. Both girls were found with children from their abductors.

“The CSWN expresses its joy on this promising good news that holds the prospect of more girls getting their freedom.

“However, our concern stems from the fundamental human rights of these girls that were willfully violated.

“The Nigerian government may continue with its re-radicalisation programme that birthed the worrying terminology of ‘repentant terrorists, but we in CSWN, in view of the fact that Nigeria is governed by laws, call for the full application of all relevant laws on those who violated the girls.

“This would show the supremacy of law over lawlessness and impunity, and a consolation to the victims of insurgency trying to rebuild their lives or still wallowing in IDP camps.”

The group also called on the federal government to take full responsibility for the rehabilitation of the freed girls.