Since the release of the 21 Chibok
students last October (pictured above),
82 more girls have recently been freed.
Photo: World Watch Monitor
Boko Haram released a video on May 12th claiming to show a few Chibok schoolgirls refusing to be part of the recent "swap deal" in which 82 of the girls had been rescued by the Nigerian government in exchange for five terrorist commanders.
In the three-minute video, a girl dressed in a veil and holding a gun introduces herself as Maida Yakubu, one of 276 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorist group in April 2014. During the taping, three other girls in veils sat behind her. When asked by a man in the background why she doesn't want to go back home to her parents, she replies: "The reason is that they live in the town of unbelief. We want them to accept Islam."
Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu disclosed after the 82 were released that one girl had indeed refused to leave. He added that the abducted teen declined to be part of the release deal because she had married a Boko Haram fighter. On the same day, Boko Haram released a second video claiming to show five commanders whom were freed by the Nigerian government in exchange for the 82 girls.
The girls were reunited with their families on May 20th in a special ceremony. They will require extensive medical testing followed by remedial training before returning to school. An estimated 113 Chibok schoolgirls are still unaccounted for which means further attempts will need to be made to rescue as many as possible. Previous reports on this situation are available here. To view a short news clip of the recent reunion gathering, go to CNN News.
Please commit these rescued Chibok schoolgirls to the Lord as they now recover from their traumatic ordeal and eventually transition to life at home with their elated families. Continue interceding for the girls still in captivity, and for the thousands of other Nigerians who have suffered from violent attacks and tragic loss at the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists. Additionally, please uphold those in governing authority, asking the Lord to grant them needed wisdom and strength. May He use the political and spiritual leaders of Nigeria to accomplish His good purposes and bring greatly needed healing to the victimized people of this troubled nation.
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