Chibok Girls: Group advocates passage of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill

The group said the bill would also guarantee a robust legal framework needed to seek justice for the over 200 girls abducted in Chibok, Borno State.

The Choice4Life Advocates, a group of young Nigerians from diverse ethno-religious and social background, has urged the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP, Bill to serve as a legal protection of citizens against all forms of violence.

In a statement on Tuesday, the group said that the bill would also guarantee a robust legal framework needed to seek justice for the over 200 girls abducted in Chibok, Bornu State.

“The Federal Government and the Borno State Government, through relevant security agencies, (must) intensify and strengthen all current efforts being made towards the quick release of the girls,” the group stated.

“The swift passage of the VAPP Bill will also, among others, boost the confidence of the citizens in the polity as well as serve as a legal protection of citizens against all forms of violence regardless of sex, age, culture, tribe or religion.

“A policy on the right of every Nigerian to education should be formulated and included in our National Constitution and/or relevant documents so as to protect and guarantee the right of citizens to education regardless of cultural and religious beliefs.

“This is expected to take pre-eminence over any local, cultural, and/or religious policies, which are against right of citizens to education. The education and empowerment of women should be given the adequate priority and urgent attention it requires.”

The abduction of over 250 girls from their hostel at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, has continued to attract a lot of local and international outrage.

Several protests have continued to hold across major Nigerian cities demanding urgent action from the government in the release of the girls.

The group commiserated with the families and relatives of all the kidnapped girls, assuring them that Nigerians stand as one with them through these trying times.

“We recognize the challenges of handling insurgencies such as this, as we unreservedly acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of our military, para-military and other security personnel towards ensuring that peace, order, and security of lives and properties is restored in Nigeria.

“We commend all the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians who have toiled over the last couple of weeks, to raise awareness about the kidnapped girls, and who have worked to pressure the government to go the extra mile towards bringing our girls home.

“We appreciate the support from non-Nigerians, global leaders and the international media to the campaign for government to rescue our girls and bring them back alive,” it added.