Abducted from their boarding school in Borno State in April last year, the over 200 girls have been held incommunicado by Boko Haram since. Since their abduction, there have been calls for a negotiated settlement as Boko Haram have appeared to at times suggest that they would release the girls in exchange for some of their commanders being held.
Currently in Nigeria, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon demanded the unconditional release of the Chibok girls after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa. He added that the UN is poised to work with Nigeria to counter terrorism in the country and across the African continent.
Mr Ki-moon said: “This week will witness the 500 days of the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls. I want to reiterate my support for the Chibok girls and so many other innocent abducted girls and boys whose names and fate remain unknown.
“It is intolerable that their lives and schooling have been disrupted in this way and the whole world has been moved by their fate. I once again call, on the strongest possible terms of those responsible to unconditionally release these girls and many other abducted children."
Noting that President Buhari in his inaugural speech recognised human rights as important part of counter-insurgency response and operations, he said that the war against the terrorists should be conducted with a full respect for human rights, humanitarian and refugee law. Mr Ki-moon also pointed out that the military approach alone will not be sufficient in the war against terrorism.
“President Buhari and I also discussed efforts to address root causes by tackling socio-economic grievances in the northeast, in particular the need to expand educational and employment opportunities for young people. The recent agreement by UN member states on a due sustainable development agenda and on the Addis Ababa action agenda will provide further financing vehicles to help Nigeria achieve its agenda for change.
“The humanitarian situation in the northeast is particularly worrying and we are working with partners on the ground to scale up humanitarian operations. We congratulated President Buhari on the efforts to protect and uphold the rights of displaced persons.” Mr Ki-moon added.
He also commended President Buhari for prioritising insecurity, anti-corruption and unemployment issues in the country. According to Mr Ki-moon, Nigeria has been a source of stability in West Africa and the wider continent as a key contributor to UN peacekeeping operations including successful missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
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