By Ebunoluwa Sessou

A group, Women for Peace and Justice in Nigeria, known for championing the #BringBackOurGirls, BBOG,movement has called on the Federal Government to ensure the release of the 112 girls still in the captivity of the Boko Haram insurgents.

The group disclosed this in a statement signed by the BBOG, Lagos Family, made available to SundayVanguard as it marks the 5th anniversary today, April 14, of the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State

It will be recalled that 219 Chibok girls were abducted by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014, while 107 were released after negotiations, 112 of the girls still remained captives of the terrorists.

The group described cases of kidnap, killing and missing of Nigerian girls as appalling, adding that if stringent measures are not taken, security of lives of the Nigerian women and girls will be threatened.

According to the statement, “To date, 6 Dapchi Girls have not returned, with reports that five died during the abduction and were buried, while Leah Sharibu was reported to have been denied release because she refused to renounce her faith.

“We are aware of the efforts made so far, and commend the government for the recovery of 107 Chibok girls, and 106 Dapchi girls. We also acknowledge and honour the sacrifice of our police and military and express our condolences and prayers to the families of our heroes in the police and armed forces.

“However, we will not relent in our advocacy and strident demands for the rescue of our school children and fellow citizens from captivity.  We also demand justice for the slain; resettlement and rehabilitation for people displaced by the violence; safe schools; and the launch of the National Missing Persons Register.

“As concerned citizens of this country, the #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) advocacy group has highlighted the plight of these innocent girls, and other victims of insurgency, even at a global level and engaged the government and other agencies in a constructive manner to secure the release of the girls.

“While we remain hopeful and expectant of the imminent news of the rescue of all the girls, if this hope does not materialize before Sunday, April 14, 2019, which is today we will mark the 5th year of captivity for 112 Chibok Girls by gathering with members of the Chibok community and members of BBOG from all over Lagos to remind our government and the world that they are still missing”, it stated.