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Congresswoman Wilson and Colleagues, ahead of the 10th Anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls, Introduces Resolution Calling on the Department of State and the Department of Defense to rapidly implement a five-year regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram

Washington, April 12, 2024

Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24), ahead of the 10th anniversary of the kidnapping of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls in Chibok, introduced a Resolution to recommit U.S. and Nigerian efforts to defeat Boko Haram.

The resolution does the following: 

  • Calls on the Department of State and the Department of Defense to rapidly implement a five-year regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram and other violent extremist organizations in the region.
  • Urges the Government of Nigeria and surrounding territories, in cooperation with regional partners and the international community, to redouble efforts to defeat Boko Haram and related terrorist groups. 
  • Calls for the immediate release of all Boko Haram captives, especially the remaining 98 Chibok girls. 

“10 years ago, 276 Chibok school girls in Nigeria were kidnapped by the heartless terrorist group Boko Haram,” Congresswoman Wilson said. “As a mother and educator, I can only imagine the terror the families have felt not seeing or knowing if their loved ones were alive. That led me to start my 7-year journey to #BringBackOurGirls, and every week, I did not let up in my advocacy. From press conferences to wearing red to traveling to Nigeria multiple times, I was determined to #BringBackOurGirls. Since that journey, we did bring back many of the girls and I had the chance to meet many of them. Sadly, some were never found.”

“That’s why, today and every day, I am committed to doing everything I can to destroy the cruel terrorist group of Boko Haram. As part of this effort, I have introduced a resolution in Congress to recommit ourselves to defeating Boko Haram. Let us remember the victims of Boko Haram today because while the world might have forgotten about them, the girls and their families will never forget.”

The resolution is cosponsored by Rep. James Clyburn (SC-06), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Darren Soto (Fl-09), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Rep. Danny Davis (IL-07), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), Rep. James McGovern (MA-02), Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Rep. Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), and Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09).

The Chibok schoolgirls were kidnapped on the night of April 14-15, 2014.

For the full-resolution text, click here.

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