The Federal Government on Tuesday restated its dedication to securing the freedom of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls and Leah Sharibu, emphasizing that they have not been forgotten despite the years that have passed since their abductions.
In 2014, Boko Haram insurgents abducted 276 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State.
Over a decade later, at least 87 of those girls are still believed to be held in captivity.
Similarly, Leah Sharibu, who was taken along with 109 other girls by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State, in February 2018, remains in captivity.
She is widely known as the only Christian among the group and the only one yet to be released.
Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), reaffirmed the government’s ongoing efforts to rescue those still held hostage.
He was speaking on Tuesday at a multi-agency anti-kidnapping forum held in Abuja and jointly organized with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency,
Laka explained that the rescue of those previously freed was achieved through a mix of negotiations and carefully planned military operations over time.
“Rescues didn’t happen all at once.
“It was a phased process involving intelligence efforts, negotiations, and operational strategies,” he said.
“I was in the theatre of operations not long after the initial abduction, and I witnessed firsthand the military and intelligence agencies’ commitment to retrieving the girls.”
While many of the Chibok girls have been found or released, Laka noted that some have married their captors, complicating rescue operations.
Nevertheless, he stressed that efforts remain ongoing.
He also urged the public not to focus exclusively on the Chibok abductions, pointing out that other Nigerians—especially aid workers—have also been kidnapped and rescued.
“We’ve successfully rescued Nigerian aid workers affiliated with UNICEF, UNHCR, IOM, and other international agencies,” he said.
On Leah Sharibu, Laka acknowledged the emotional weight her story carries and confirmed that her case, like the others, remains a top priority.
He urged Nigerians not to interpret the government’s media silence as neglect or abandonment.
“Just because we’re not making headlines or issuing daily updates doesn’t mean we’ve moved on.
“The commitment remains strong,” he emphasized.
“We are hopeful and prayerful that all those left in captivity, whether 87 or more, will be rescued by God’s grace.”
Providing further insight, Laka spoke about the activities of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell.
Accordint to Laka, this operates under the NCTC and was inaugurated by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on December 19, 2024.
The cell serves as a collaborative platform where intelligence is pooled from various security and law enforcement agencies to enhance the country’s ability to combat kidnapping effectively.
Since its establishment, the fusion cell has been instrumental in supporting operational responses by the military, police, and other security stakeholders.
According to Laka, the initiative has improved information flow and real-time decision-making during crisis situations.
In a move to further decentralize and strengthen anti-kidnapping responses, the NCTC has launched a nationwide expansion strategy.
This includes deploying liaison officers from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
These officers are tasked with bridging the gap between national coordination and state-level execution.
“The core objective is to create a seamless link between what happens in the field and the decisions made at the strategic level,” Laka explained.
“It ensures that local intelligence directly informs national security operations, allowing us to act more swiftly and effectively.”
The Federal Government’s renewed assurances come amid calls from citizens and international bodies for sustained action and accountability in rescuing all Nigerians still in captivity.
The continued existence of specialized structures like the NCTC’s fusion cell signals a long-term institutional approach to tackling kidnapping and terrorism across the country.