What happened?
In June 2021, a group of terrorists led by the nototrious Dogo Gide attacked the Federal Government College (FGC), Birnin Yauri, North West Nigeria, and kidapped over a hundred people. With support from the international women’s media foundation, we published a documentary about some of the captives.
Before the abduction, there was a notice that the school wouldbe attacked. Witnesses said a handwritten letter was delivered to the school, containing the names of 12 female students who would be targeted. When this was reported to the school’s Vice Principal, it was dismissed as a prank.
Dogo Gide and his men abducted about 112 children and eight teachers. In the months to come, the captives were released through negotiations by the Nigerian government and families. In January 2022, it was reported that all captives had been released, but this was not the case for 11 of the girls. They were held for two years in total, and by the time they were released, they had suffered sexual violence that had resulted in pregnancies and eventually childbirth.
What’s new?
Two years after the abduction, the release of the abandoned 11 girls was secured largely through the parents’ negotiations with the terrorists and crowdfunding for ransom. The documentary reveals that two of the girls have refused to go back to school following reintegration efforts by the government. Six of the girls returned with newborns after they had been married off and raped by terrorists. Dogo Gide is still at large and is reaching out to the families requesting for the newborns.
Why does it matter?
The #BirninYauriAbduction is notthe first abduction to take place involving schoolgirls. There was the infamous #ChibokGirls abduction in April 2014 and several others. Over the years, as the activities of terror groups intensified, women and girls have become largely affected. Young girls have their chance for an education stolen from them. They are violated and end up becoming mothers at an early age. Even with their freedom, life after such a traumatic incident takes a downward spiral. For instance, two of the rescued girls have vowed never to go to school, the girls who are back with newborns are stigmatised by their families, and their safety hangs by a thread as Dogo Gide has started making requests for the babies.
What can be done?
Schools should liaise with local authorities to tighten security to prevent further attacks. If there are warning signsor a notice letter, schools should alert the right authorities and take adequate measures till all threats are cleared.
Civil society organisations should assist in advocating for victims, engaging the authorities, and raising awareness about the need to improve the safety of school-going children and rehabilitate abduction victims.
To help the girls who have been held captive for so long, there is a need for immediate and long-term support. The girls should be offered medical attention and psychological support to address the trauma they have experienced.
The girls should also undergo reintegration programmes to welcome them back into society. This includes education and vocational training, particularly for the girls who declined to return to school. Safety measures should be put in place to protect the girls from Dogo Gide and his men, who warn that they will be back for the babies.
