Over two weeks ago, 234 kidnapped schoolgirls from Nigeria were taken by the Boko Haram terrorist group, leaving loved ones anxiously wondering what happened to them. Once alleged developments were brought to light, it was determined the kidnapped schoolgirls were forced to take part in a massive marriage ceremony. After that, each unwilling bride was sold for the paltry sum of 2,000 naira, or the equivalent of 12 dollars.
Samson Dawah was one of the people who fought hard to get information about the kidnapped schoolgirls. After uncovering the details, he specifically asked that elderly people not attend his announcement, fearing they could not tolerate the disturbing details he had to reveal.
Reportedly, news about the kidnapped schoolgirls became available when local villagers went to forests located in the northeast of the country and got information from border towns in Cameroon. Dawah mentioned that the schoolgirls were either taken into Chad or Cameroon, and said “multiple sources” had confirmed that fact.
However, those claims about the kidnapped schoolgirls have not been verified by some American news sources such as the Washington Post , nor the Nigerian defense ministry. Despite that lack of confirmation, it is known that members of Boko Haram have been responsible for killing at least 2,300 people since 2010.
Unfortunately, although these latest revelations offer chilling possibilities, so much about the fate of the kidnapped schoolgirls is still unknown, and families are understandably starting to become frustrated. Initially, there were uncertainties about the number of schoolgirls who were kidnapped, and false reports that most of the kidnapped victims had been released.
Many relatives of the schoolgirls also assert that the government is not doing as much as it could to find the kidnapped youths. “All we want from the government is to help us bring our children back,” said one father as he wept.
The kidnapped schoolgirls mostly range between 16 and 18 years of age. They were rounded up at gunpoint after the militant group overpowered guards who were posted to keep watch. In a desperate effort to find those who were kidnapped, relatives of the schoolgirls have boldly ventured into an area called the Sambisa Forest . It was once a game reserve, but now is believed to function as a home base for the Boko Haram group.
These latest alleged developments about what has happened to the kidnapped schoolgirls come from a group of male relatives who collaborate every morning to go into the forest and search for the victims. A village leader also believes the government may actually be working with the terrorists rather than trying to free the kidnapped schoolgirls. Since so many questions remain, the only thing that seems certain is this situation has caused the lives of many loved ones to be sent into turmoil as they wait for answers.