USA Africa Dialogue Series - Resisting Slavery

Abuja #BringBackOurGirls Rally of 3^rd May 2014

Day Three and the Need to End Slavery

Third Day Report by Jibrin Ibrahim

The Abuja #BringBackOurGirls rally in Abuja this afternoon was exceptional. The former FCT Minister, Aliyu Modobbo, in his solidarity message articulated clearly a point that is in many people’s mind. There is a concerted attempt to re-introduce slavery into Nigeria and we must all come out and struggle against slavery.

The most poignant message was from the Senator for Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume. He explained that he had been falsely accused of being a financer of Boko Haram. He came with two of his immediate junior sisters, both of whom are Christians. He added that their mother died as the regional women’s leader of the COCIN Church. His family is equally divided between Christians and Muslims so how could he sponsor a group that is trying to kill his own mother and sisters. He also came with his wife whose senior brother had been killed by the terrorists. Terrorism, he explained has no religion or tribe, they are criminals out to kill.

He congratulated the organisers of the rally for giving hope not only to his Senatorial District which has been suffering so much from terrorism but to all Nigerians – that terrorism can be combatted. Precisely because of this, we must resist the trivialisation and tribalisation of the phenomenon by certain forces. He added that in his area, the civilian JTF has been more effective that the security agencies in resisting the insurgency. Finally, he informed the rally that as at today, the census has been done, 276 girls remain missing while 53 have escaped from their captors and returned.

The Rally took the following decisions today:

1)    On Tuesday, the Movement will march to the office of the Minister of Defence and that of the Chief of Defence Staff to brief them on our concerns and seek a detailed briefing on the state of field operations.

2)    The Movement noted the decision of Government to close schools and government officers next week and concluded that the move should be understood as the creation of an opportunity for students and workers to be free from normal duties to join the #BringBackOurGirls rallies and marches. All are invited to take this opportunity offered by Government to join the Movement.

3)    The four task forces established by the Movement – mobilisation and outreach, resources, media and communications, and legal, met and drew up their detailed plans of action to achieve set objectives.

4)    Finally, the Movement leaders and volunteers called on all workers and students in the FCT to accept government closure of schools and offices so that they could come out and join the struggle. The Movement reconvenes tomorrow, 3 pm at Unity Fountain, Abuja. DARE TO STRUGGLE, DARE TO WIN. COME ONE, COME ALL.