Released Chibok girls-We stayed without food for 40 days

THE 21 freed Chibok girls, in Abuja, on Sunday, said for “one month and 10 days,” of their abduction by the Boko Haram insurgents, they stayed without food in the bush.
One of the girls that were recently released by their abductors, Miss Gloria Dame, on Sunday, said they never thought they would regain freedom.
This came as she called for fasting and prayer for the safe release of those still held by their captors.

Miss Gloria, who spoke on behalf of the freed girls at a thanksgiving service/reunion with parents in Abuja, said it was God who made it possible for them to regain their freedom.

Tears flowed freely as parents took turns to identify their daughters at the event, with a parent carrying her daughter on her back in happiness.

With the arrival of the parents, the environment was charged with emotion and tears of joy.

Recalling their ordeal in captivity, Gloria, who spoke in Hausa, prayed that God would ensure the safe release of other girls still in captivity.

She also commended all those who made their safe release and reunion with their families possible.

“We never thought we would ever see this moment, but God has made it possible for us.

“I did not know that a day like this will come that we will be dancing and giving thanks to God among the people.

“For one month and 10 days we stayed without food. I narrowly escaped bomb blast in the forest.

“We are praying to God to touch the heart of Boko Haram to repent and we are calling on Nigerians to pray and fast for the release of our remaining ones in captivity,” she said.

Chairman of Chibok Local Government Area, Mr Yaga Yarakawa, said the release of the girls was “historic,” adding that the Chibok community at home and in the diaspora were happy about the development.

Yarakawa said contrary to views of some Nigerians, the 21 freed girls were the actual Chibok Secondary School girls kidnapped by Boko Haram.

“Before their abduction, I was involved in supervising their feeding which was organised by the Borno State Secondary Schools Feeding System. So I know them very well.

“These are the real girls and you can see when their parents came, you see their joy, it manifests naturally.

“This is enough to tell you that it is a reality and anybody who says different things or doubting, may be the person has a different agenda altogether,” he said.

Also, chairman of the parents of the abducted schoolgirls, Yakubu Nkeki, debunked the reports which alleged that 18 out of the 21 freed girls were pregnant.

Tribune