Exactly a decade after the abduction of 276 students from the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, former abductees, parents, and relatives convened at the school’s multipurpose hall on Sunday for a solemn interfaith prayer service.

The gathering aimed to pray for the safe return of the 92 girls who are still unaccounted for.

In poignant reflections shared during the service, speakers expressed a range of emotions regarding the events that have unfolded since the 2014 abduction.

A prevailing sentiment among attendees was the demand for answers as to why some girls have been rescued while others remain in captivity.

Chibok, situated in the southern region of Borno State, lies approximately 125 kilometers from the state capital, Maiduguri, nestled within the dense Sambisa forest.

A decade ago, Boko Haram insurgents abducted female students from the school and transported them into the depths of the Sambisa forest.

Since then, 179 of the abducted students have either escaped or been released, yet the fate of 92 girls remains unknown.

The return of some girls to their families has been bittersweet, with some returning as mothers, others as widows of Boko Haram militants, and only a fortunate few returning without additional burdens.

While some parents found solace in the return of their children, regardless of their circumstances, others continue to grapple with uncertainty about the well-being of their daughters.

During the prayer service, religious leaders and parents alike were moved to tears as they shared harrowing accounts of their experiences and ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining girls.

Seven years after the abduction, the Borno State Government transformed the school into a non-boarding institution.

Mohammed Bukar, the school principal, revealed ongoing discussions to restore its original status as a boarding school for both genders.

To enhance security at the school and protect students and residents of Chibok from potential attacks, Brigadier General Bede Amako, the Brigade Commander of the 28 Taskforce in Chibok, assured that additional measures have been implemented.

According to data provided by parents of the abducted schoolgirls, a total of 271 students were kidnapped in 2014.

Of these, 57 girls escaped shortly after the abduction, while 103 were released through federal government intervention and an additional 20 through state government efforts.

However, 92 students remain in captivity, their fate hanging in limbo as their families cling to hope for their safe return.