Nigeria’s Stolen Daughter’s

[Cwenthryth]

BBC documentary on girls/young women abducted by Boko Haram - available on iPlayer. I’m only 15 mins in - harrowing isn’t the word. But the way survivors are being managed by the Nigerian government seems very off, is the best I can say so far.

Anyway, just to let people it’s there, watch it please because I think I’ll want need to talk about it when I’m done!

Thanks for this OP. Will definitely give it a watch.

Oh wow. I'm interested in the situation, but I don't think I could stomach the documentary. Is it graphic?

Not graphic as in blood & gore, no. ‘Just’ absolutely heart rending, I cried at one point and I’m not usually cryer. Well worth watching & talking about though. I had no idea what is going on in Nigeria.

Thanks. I'll have a look this evening.

You are right - this was harrowing.
Incredible that the country and the international community were, and remain, so powerless in the face of this oppression of young women.

@Cwenthryth I find these things so hearbreaking. I watched the FGM one (the day I will never forget) with the sound down at first.

These poor women and girls. There really are no words but we must find the words to describe this and to offer support. Does anyone know any charity working with these girls, please?

Absolutely horrendous situation - I’m not in the UK at the moment, travelling for work, but will try to watch if I can.

Do I remember rightly that the RAF located and offered to rescue some of the girls but were refused by the government of Nigeria?

The girls specifically abducted from Chibok

Depends who you believe, I guess. Both these reports from March 17.

Nigeria rejected British offer to rescue seized Chibok schoolgirls

Nigeria Chibok abductions: Ex-President Jonathan denies rescue snub

The doco indicated that there are Chibok abductees still held by Boko Haram and the government is still negotiating, claiming any rescue mission would put lives at risk.

I was quite disturbed by how the returned girls were being managed. Kept away from their families, told not to talk about what they’ve been through, specifically not to the film crew. Berated for crying or being visibly sad as they should be grateful they are alive when others aren’t. My partner tried to argue about cultural differences and not imposing my values on others.... but surely, trauma is trauma and not being supported appropriately to manage your reaction to trauma has the potential
to be very problematic with regards to long term mental health.

I watched this programme and thought much like you Cwenthryth that the Nigerian Government/powers that be have done nothing to understand or help with the psychological trauma that the girls are still in the grips of. The girls tried to hide it but to me it was writ large in their eyes and expressions - a place at University and new iPhones and Tablets is not going to suddenly wipe out all the horror they experienced and witnessed.

The story that really stuck with me, so much so that I still find myself thinking about it, is the one about the woman who took in those two young boys, it was heartbreaking and her selflessness was humbling.