LAGOS
By Rafiu Ajakaye
Nigerian activists are calling for a global week of action beginning October 11 to demand the immediate release of scores of schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants in mid-April.
"As the U.N. marks the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, we... are calling for a global week of action to mobilize everyone around the world to demand the immediate rescue of our Chibok girls and end this humanitarian tragedy," the #BringBackOurGirls movement said in a Wednesday statement.
"How can the world move on without 219 promising young women whose zeal for education should be an example for girls everywhere in the world," it added.
"We cannot afford for girls and parents anywhere in the world to be forced to choose between education and personal safety," read the statement, which was co-signed by five of the abducted girls' parents.
On April 14, Boko Haram militants abducted 276 schoolgirls in Borno State's town of Chibok, according to official accounts.
Boko Haram kingpin Abubakar Shekau later claimed responsibility for the abductions, offering to trade the kidnapped girls for detained militants held by Nigerian authorities.
At least 57 of the girls managed to escape their captors following the mass abduction, which led to international outrage.
But the fate of the remaining abducted girls still hangs in the balance, as the government continues to keep its ostensible rescue efforts veiled in secrecy.
"We make this global call to all political leaders, the U.N., civil society groups, religious leaders, development partners, celebrities and all well-meaning individuals to come out en masse during this global week of action and raise their voices to demand renewed action for the immediate rescue of our Chibok girls," the movement said.
"We ask that various on-the-ground activities and the social media be used to show support and solidarity for the #ChibokGirls," it added.
October 14 will mark six months since the girls were kidnapped from their school dormitory in the sleepy town of Chibok.
Their abduction remains a major issue as Nigeria heads to the polls next year, with the opposition taunting President Goodluck Jonathan over his failure thus far to secure the girls' release.
Many have criticized Jonathan for not mentioning the girls in an October 1 speech commemorating Nigeria's 54th independence anniversary.
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