The Federal Government has reiterated its unwavering commitment to securing the release of Leah Sharibu and the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls, assuring Nigerians that their freedom remains a national priority.
Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), gave the assurance on Tuesday during a multi-agency anti-kidnapping strategy meeting in Abuja. The meeting was held in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.
Laka noted that ongoing efforts to rescue the girls involve a combination of covert operations, negotiations, and sustained intelligence gathering.
“Since their abduction, the process has been gradual,” he said. “It has entailed careful negotiations, clandestine operations, and consistent intelligence efforts. I was in the operational theatre shortly after the Chibok incident and can personally attest to the dedication of our military and intelligence personnel.”
In April 2014, 276 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. While many have since escaped or been rescued, at least 87 are still believed to be in captivity.
Laka stressed that the reduced media coverage of the issue does not imply diminished government efforts.
“We have not relented,” he said. “Some of the girls were forced into marriage with insurgents, but many have returned. The absence of daily headlines does not mean we’ve abandoned the cause. Our efforts extend beyond the Chibok case and include other Nigerians, including humanitarian workers, who have also been rescued.”
Addressing the situation of Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl abducted in February 2018 for refusing to renounce her Christian faith, Laka assured that efforts remain active.
“The fact that her name isn’t regularly in the news does not mean we’ve stopped working. The mission to bring her back safely is ongoing,” he affirmed. “Our continued prayer is that, by God’s grace, the remaining 80-plus girls will be reunited with their families.”
He also provided an update on the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell, which was launched in December 2024 by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
According to Laka, the cell—situated within the NCTC—has become a vital hub for intelligence integration and operational coordination in the fight against kidnapping and related crimes.
