“I thank God that I saw my daughter”: Chibok parents expectant as they identify 23 more girls

Times are tough for the parents of the abducted Chibok girls. Although seeing their daughters in the video released by Abubakar Shekau, the Boko Haram leader, has been hard on them, the sighting has given them hope that something can be done. They are urging the government to do all in their power to ensure the safe release of their daughters.

“I thank God that I saw my daughter Aisha Zannah in the picture. They are our girls abducted one month ago,” Mr Lawan Zannah, one of the parents said.

“We want our girls to return home safely now that we know that they are still alive”’ he said.

Shettima Haruna, another parent, said all the girls shown in the video were those  abducted from the school.

According to a report by The Nation, another parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, wondered how the girls were able to read in Arabic.

“The lady reciting the Quran is from Kubur Bula village; she had been of a good Christian background, but I wonder what they did to her. Her name is Rebecca but she looked like a true Muslim in the video.”

Meanwhile the Borno State Government released the list of a further 23 students whose identities were confirmed by their parents in the video clip of Boko Haram.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication, Alhaji Isa Gusau, also said the identification of the abducted girls was continuing at press time.

The statement said: “Please find the names of the additional 23 girls that had been identified. The names are 1. Fibi Haruna; 2. Laraba Mamman; 3. Saraya Yanga; 4. Hauwa Mutan; 5. Deborah Abari; 6. Hauwa Nkeki Mbalala; 7. Rejoice Musa8. Yana Joshua ; 9. Esther Ayuba; 10. Helen Musa; 11. Mwa Daniel; 12. Hannatu Ishaku; 13. Yayi Abana; 14. Mary Ndamah; 15. Monica Enoch ; 16. Amina Ali; 17. Ashe Ezekiel; 18. Lydia Simon; 19. Na’omi Bitrus; 20. Kawuna Lalai; 21. Kawuna Luka; 22. Lydia Habila; 23. Margaret Watsai

“The exercise is continuing with a new set of parents, teachers and students. The three sets of people (parents, teachers and students) were brought to Maiduguri in batches. Another set is to continue the identification exercise tonight and we will get back too you with any update.”