91 Chibok Girls Still Captive: UN Report 10 Years On

A decade after the world was shaken by the mass abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Nigeria, a new United Nations report paints a grim picture of unresolved trauma and systemic failures. Released in September 2025 by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the inquiry finds that at least 91 girls remain held captive or missing, with the Nigerian government no longer actively pursuing their release. This revelation underscores not just the ongoing pain of the Chibok families but also a broader pattern of violence against women and girls in conflict zones. As survivors continue to face stigma and neglect, the report calls for urgent action to rescue the remaining girls and prevent future atrocities. Let's explore the findings, the human stories behind the statistics, and what needs to change.

On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram militants stormed the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, kidnapping 276 girls aged 16 to 18 in the dead of night. The attack, part of the group's insurgency against Western education, sparked global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, drawing support from figures like Michelle Obama and Malala Yousafzai. In the years following, 82 girls escaped on their own, often enduring harrowing journeys through the bush, while 103 were released between 2016 and 2017 through prisoner exchanges negotiated by the government.

Yet, the joy of reunions has been overshadowed by the fate of the remaining 91, whose whereabouts are still unknown or who remain in captivity. The CEDAW report notes that negotiations have stalled, leaving families in limbo and marking a decade of incomplete justice.

The Chibok incident was no isolated event. According to the report, at least 1,400 students have been kidnapped from schools across northern Nigeria since 2014, often for ransom, forced marriage, or trafficking. These abductions, perpetrated by Boko Haram and other armed groups, form a "decade-long pattern" of targeted attacks on education, particularly affecting girls. Survivors recounted brutal conditions: inadequate food, beatings, forced religious conversions, and repeated sexual violence, including rape that resulted in pregnancies.

Nahla Haidar, CEDAW Chair, emphasized in the report: “The abduction of the Chibok girls was not an isolated tragedy, but part of a series of mass abductions targeting schools and communities across northern Nigeria.” This systemic violence has disrupted education for millions, with many schools lacking early warning systems or security measures.

The UN committee holds Nigeria accountable for "grave and systematic violations" of women's and girls' rights, citing repeated failures to prevent attacks, protect schoolgirls, and ensure their right to education. While the 103 released Chibok girls received scholarships, psychosocial support, and training, some even studying at the American University of Nigeria or abroad, those who escaped independently were often abandoned in IDP camps without rehabilitation or counseling.

The report criticizes the lack of uniform laws criminalizing abduction and marital rape across all 36 states, as well as inadequate funding for police forces to combat these threats. Families have been left destitute after paying ransoms, and survivors face profound stigmatization, especially rape victims and their children born in captivity. Haidar stated, “These girls were failed twice, first when they were abducted, and again when so many of them were left abandoned without care or support after escaping.”

Behind the numbers are profound human stories. The CEDAW inquiry included testimonies from survivors who described years of suffering in captivity, followed by rejection upon return. Many faced community ostracism, with some unable to resume schooling due to trauma or lack of resources. Organizations like Amnesty International have amplified these voices, noting in earlier reports that the psychological scars endure, with survivors struggling with PTSD, health issues, and social isolation.

One survivor's account in related coverage highlights the ongoing fight: "We escaped, but the nightmare didn't end. Society sees us as tainted." These narratives remind us that rescue is only the beginning; proper recovery requires comprehensive support and ongoing care.

The CEDAW report urges immediate action, calling on Nigeria to resume efforts to rescue the 91 remaining Chibok girls and all other abducted women and girls. Key recommendations include:

• Adequately funding and equipping police to prevent mass abductions.

• Implementing nationwide laws against abduction and marital rape.

• Destigmatizing survivors through public campaigns and providing rehabilitation, education, and economic support.

• Enhancing school security with early warning systems and community involvement.

The committee emphasizes that addressing these violations is crucial for upholding the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which Nigeria ratified in 1985.

Ten years on, the Chibok story remains a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by girls in conflict zones worldwide. While international attention has waned, reports like this reignite calls for global solidarity. UNICEF and Amnesty have echoed the UN's findings, stressing that education is a fundamental right that must be protected.

As we mark this somber milestone, the world must recommit to #BringBackOurGirls not just in hashtags, but in tangible support for Nigeria's efforts to end this cycle of violence.