Ban welcomes reported release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 14 October 2016 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, Ban welcomes reported release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria, 14 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5804822340c.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
14 October 2016 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the reported release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls, who were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgent group more than two years ago, while expressing deep concern about the safety and well-being of the remaining schoolgirls and other victims still in captivity.
On 13 April, 2014, in the middle of the night, 276 girls were abducted by Boko Haram from their school dormitory in Chibok, in Nigeria's restive north-east. Many of them remain missing.
"The Secretary-General urges the international community to continue supporting the Government of Nigeria in its efforts to secure their release, rehabilitation and reintegration. He calls for increased efforts to ensure additional humanitarian access in the north-east of Nigeria, and reiterates the continued commitment of the United Nations in this regard," according to a statement released by Mr. Ban's spokesman.
The Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, in his capacity as High Representative for Nigeria, continues to engage with the Nigerian authorities and international partners on this matter, the statement said.
