In a poignant meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja, First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu welcomed Rebecca Kabu, one of the Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014. Joined by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the First Lady assured Rebecca of her support and well-being.
Acknowledging the emotional trauma Rebecca has endured, Mrs. Tinubu thanked the National Security Adviser (NSA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and other security agencies involved in her rescue. She emphasized her commitment to Rebecca’s rehabilitation and promised to ensure her medical care and readiness to return to school at her own pace.
Rebecca’s experience prompted the First Lady to discuss her NGO, Renewed Hope Initiative, which aims to help girls forced out of school receive quality education. Mrs. Tinubu pledged that Rebecca would be among the first beneficiaries of her free education initiative. She stressed the importance of education for young girls, enabling them to integrate into society and inherit positive legacies.
Rebecca, who was kidnapped at age 13 and is now 22, shared her experiences in a soft voice. The First Lady offered condolences for her struggles and expressed confidence that she would overcome language barriers.
Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa, Coordinator of the Counter Terrorism Centre, NSA, disclosed that Rebecca was rescued by government security agencies on July 17. He confirmed her medical and psychological fitness for reunification with her family in Borno state.
Rebecca’s return is a reminder of the ongoing efforts to bring back all the kidnapped Chibok girls and highlights the importance of supporting their recovery and reintegration into society.