Photo: Her Excellency the wife of Imo State Governor, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha [l], women and girl students, protesting along the major streets in Owerri, the state capital, against the abduction of over 200 girls from Chibok in Borno State
…By Emma Okereke,
Owerri…
Worried by the continued non release of most of the abducted Chibok girls, Imo women and female students led by the wife of the Imo State Governor, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha in the company of, teachers and female political office holders in the State, converged at the Freedom Square, Owerri Friday to pray for God’s intervention on the release of the over 200 Chibok girls, Borno State, abducted to an unknown destination.
The prayer session came on the heels of a peaceful demonstration along the major roads of the state capital.
The worried women said they have experienced untold trauma and sleepless nights for the past 18 days since the innocent girls were abducted.
Some of the placards displayed by the crowd read:- We say no to abduction, free the young girls, set Chibok Girls free; We say no to abduction, please release Chibok Girls; No rest till our sisters from Chibok are freed; Please set our sisters free, God is watching; Bring back our girls, we want freedom for Chibok Girls; among others.
The Imo first lady explained that the prayer session was necessitated by the letters repeatedly written to her office by Imo female students asking for the where-about and welfare of the abducted Chibok girls, Borno State.
According to her “I have been deeply concerned and tutored by the state of affairs of these children just like the Imo female students have because it could have been anybody. A touch to the 276 Chibok girls is a touch on 276 nations. We must look up to Heaven where all things are possible, pray, intercede and not give up hope until the girls return to their homes.”
She noted that she had spoken with the wife of the Borno State who could not contain her emotions. She expressed fear for the country following the ugly development but expressed hope that ‘I know that God in his infinite mercy will intervene on behalf of this country.’ She therefore called on the leaders and Nigerians at large to close ranks irrespective of religious and political affiliations to proffer solution to the problem of Boko Haram insurgence.
Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha thanked the female folk in the State for their concern and prayed God to protect the nation from such ugly trend in the future.
Speaking earlier, the Senior Prefect, Girls Secondary School, Owerri, Miss Joy Nwokedi described the recent abduction of the Chibok Girls in Borno State as not only inhuman but most reprehensible and a theatre of absurd. She said “we the students of Imo State are in real pains and highly traumatized at this ungodly development in our society which generates fear and anxiety among girls.”
She therefore pleaded with President, State Governors and leaders at all levels as well as security agencies to intensify actions in ensuring that the girls are freed soon.