Abducted Chibok Girls: Christian Women Protest In Kano

Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Emotions were high at Sarki Yarki secretariat of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in Sabon Gari, Kano, Northwest Nigeria on Tuesday when Christian women in their hundreds wailed and groaned as they imagined the fate of the 237 abducted Chibok school girls who have been in the custody of the Boko Haram insurgents for over a fortnight ago.

They cried out to Bishop Ransom Bello, Kano CAN chairman urging him to plead with the government to intensify efforts so that the innocent school girls could regain their freedom.

The women who wondered why Boko Haram would vent their anger on innocent girls called for adequate security of lives and property of Nigerians, particularly, at a time when insurgency and kidnapping of hapless citizens was rife.

Mrs. Ann West, leader of the protesting Christian women said: “As mothers, we are here to draw the attention of our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the governor of Kano state, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso and the global community on the callous abduction of the Chibok girls.

While protesting what they described as the “callousness and inhuman actions of Boko Haram,” the women in agony sought divine intervention and advocated for the prompt release of the innocent school girls from their abductors.

The protesting women brandished placards in the air. The inscription of one read: “Chibok girls are innocent, release them,”. Another read, “we want our girls back,” “Listen to the voice of Women,”. A placard also read, “We will continue to be in pain until they are released,” “what are the offences of Chibok girls.”

Most of the women who could not hide their emotion were crying and rolling on the ground, calling on Boko Haram to stop persecuting the innocent girls for no just cause.

According to Mrs. West, “without prejudice, we are condemning the abduction, adding that it is an act of wickedness, inhuman and barbaric.”

West added: “We are demanding for the immediate release of our girls to us, and to their parents without further delay. We also demand that these wicked people, the abductors be brought to book. As concerned mothers, we have been seeking the face of the Lord for divine intervention, of cause which we know He will answer us.”

“We have not relented in our prayers but we are still only taking one step further to call for the attention and assistance from the President of Nigeria and the Global community through the media.”

While handing over the letter to the state CAN Bishop, Ransom Bello, Mrs West stated that they appreciate the efforts made so far by the government.

Bishop Bello, in his reply said, “we as CAN, we are in support of your crusade, just as we have been and still feeling the pain of what happened.

“The abduction is condemnable in all ramification, we were against it, against the people who use religion as a cover up to commit evil in this county.”

Bishop Bello, while promising them that he will hand over their protest letter to governor Kwankwaso, who he said he believed will equally pass it to the President, said he believes God will expose Boko Haram and their collaborators.