Why I had to speak up for Nigeria’s kidnapped schoolgirls

Aisha Yesufu came from a very impoverished background where she often didn’t get enough to eat, but she was very determined, shunning attempts to get her married off at an early age in favour of pursuing her education. She became a successful businesswoman.

In 2014 when news broke that 276 schoolgirls had been kidnapped in Chibok, a town in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State, Aisha felt it personally. She identified strongly with the girls who came from the same background as her. She became a leader of the Bring Back our Girls campaign, a movement which held protests and demanded that the government take action.

The government was not quick to act, and relations with the movement quickly soured. Nothing was heard of the girls for 2 years, but then one escaped. Others followed, and some were exchanged for prisoners – members of the Islamist militant group which had kidnapped them. To date around 80 have yet to return and some may no longer be alive. Aisha continues to campaign to find out what has happened to them.

 Mass abductions by armed groups in Nigeria have become more frequent with incidents taking place as recently as July this year. Security concerns around vulnerable targets like schools continue to grow. Aisha and many others are determined to see that change.

Presenter:Tommy Dixon
Producer: Julian Siddle

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(Aisha Yesufu wears a pink hijab and red 'Bring back our girls' Button badge. Credit: Julian Siddle)