Over 2, 000 secondary schools girls in Calabar, Cross River State, on Monday took to the streets to demand unconditional release of the abducted students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
The girls, dressed in black, and from different secondary schools in the state marched through major streets in Calabar with placards that read, “Bring back our little sisters,’ “Our girls are future mothers, free our daughters,” “Dialogue is the best option, not kidnapping of girls,” “Why use women as tools for negotiation,” “We need a safe and secure Nigeria, not abduction of girls” and “Free our girls, stop bombing and let’s talk” among others.
They were joined in the protest by members of the National Association of Cross River Students (NACRISS) and Civil Society and Non-Governmental organizations in the state.
Some of the students who spoke with The Nation said they were concerned about the plight of the abducted students whose fate still remains unknown.
They appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the urgent release of the kidnapped girls.
“The victims and their parents should be saved the trauma they are passing through. These innocent girls should not be made sacrificial lambs.
“Today, it is students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, tomorrow some other persons may be affected,” one of the students said.
The Co-ordinator, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative (a civil society organization), Comrade James Ibor, who also participated in the protest march said the safety of lives and property should be given priority attention by government.
