Some of the kidnapped Chibok girls.
Further to VOM Canada's previously announced report on October 13th, the day on which 21 of the Chibok schoolgirls were safely released from captivity, here is an update on the students' joyful reunion with their families which took place a few days after their release....
During an emotional ceremony on October 16th in the capital city of Abuja, 21 of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls were joyfully reunited with their families. The girls, who were among more than 200 kidnapped in April 2014, survived almost two-and-a-half years of brutal captivity by the Boko Haram terrorist group.
One of the freed girls openly expressed her gratitude for the Lord's help while testifying at the ceremony: "I was...(in) the woods when the plane dropped a bomb near me but I wasn't hurt. We had no food for one month and ten days but we did not die. We thank God." Another girl stated, "We never imagined that we would see this day but, with the help of God, we were able to come out of enslavement."
Excited relatives were waiting with great anticipation for this reunion which took place three days after the girls' release from captivity. One parent announced, "We thank God. I never thought I was going to see my daughter again, but here she is... Those who are still out there, may God bring them back to be reunited with their parents."
Most of the students kidnapped in April 2014 are still missing, and some may have died in captivity. It is unclear how the release was negotiated, but a government official reports that further negotiations are under way to free more of the schoolgirls.
To view a brief news clip of the 21 Chibok schoolgirls being joyfully reunited with their families, visit this page. Let us rejoice over the Lord's deliverance of these girls, remaining mindful to pray for the safe and speedy release of their companions still in captivity.
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