Jonathan Says Chibok Girls’ Abduction Will Remain His Biggest Scar

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has described the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, as an enduring scar that will remain with him for the rest of his life. Jonathan remarked at the public presentation of SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a memoir written by retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.

At the event, the former leader paid tribute to Irabor for his service, commending him as a soldier who upheld truth and resisted the temptation to politicise national security matters. However, while recalling his years in office, Jonathan acknowledged that the Chibok incident overshadowed many aspects of his administration.

The abduction of 276 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, in April 2014 drew global outrage and birthed the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. While some girls managed to escape and others were later released, more than 80 remain unaccounted for to this day.

Boko Haram’s Complex Challenge

Jonathan also reflected on the wider challenge of insurgency during his presidency. Boko Haram, which originated in 2009 while he was Vice President, escalated into a full-blown national crisis by the time he assumed power. He explained that his government battled the militants for five years, but despite sustained campaigns, the group adapted and persisted.

He noted that expectations were high that his successor would defeat the insurgency quickly, yet more than a decade later, the threat remains. For Jonathan, this persistence underscores the complexity of the crisis, which he believes has often been underestimated. He argued that Nigeria needs to rethink its strategy and consider a combination of measures rather than a solely military approach.

The former president highlighted the sophistication of Boko Haram’s weaponry, suggesting that the calibre of arms in their possession indicated strong external support. He observed that the insurgents were often better equipped than Nigerian soldiers on the frontline, a situation that raised questions about the sources of their strength. In his view, such capacity could not have been sustained by local communities alone.

Lingering Scars of Chibok

Jonathan’s government faced intense criticism over its handling of the Chibok tragedy. Civil society groups and families accused the administration of delayed responses, poor communication, and reluctance to fully embrace international offers of assistance. Many parents and activists felt that the government’s initial silence deepened their pain and created mistrust.

The former president, however, maintained that his cautious public stance at the time was intended to protect sensitive security operations and intelligence gathering. He insisted that certain disclosures could have jeopardized rescue efforts and further endangered the girls.

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More than ten years after the abduction, the scars remain visible. A total of 189 girls have regained their freedom through escapes, rescues, or negotiations by successive governments. Yet, dozens are still missing, and their families continue to wait for answers. Survivors who returned home face a different struggle — stigma, trauma, and disrupted education. Some came back as mothers after years of captivity, forced to rebuild their lives in communities that view them through the lens of their ordeal.

The tragedy continues to shape Nigeria’s security narrative, symbolising both the brutality of Boko Haram and the state’s difficulty in protecting its most vulnerable citizens. For Jonathan, it has become a permanent mark on his leadership years, one that no achievement can erase.

The Federal Government has repeatedly pledged that the safe return of the remaining Chibok girls, along with Leah Sharibu and other abductees, remains a national priority. Still, as time passes, the fate of those who remain in captivity hangs heavily over their families and the nation.