I’ll Die With Scar Of Chibok Girls’ Tragedy - Jonathan

-FULL COVERAGE-

“I’ll Die With Scar Of Chibok Girls’ Tragedy” -  Full Coverage of Goodluck Jonathan’s Emotional Reflection

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has publicly declared that the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls remains an indelible scar on his legacy and personal life, one he will carry to his grave.

Speaking on October 3, 2025, at the launch of the memoir Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum by retired Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor, Jonathan reflected deeply on the tragedy that defined a pivotal moment in his presidency.

Jonathan described the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram as a haunting event that continues to weigh heavily on him. He acknowledged that despite some of the girls escaping or being rescued, over 80 remain unaccounted for more than a decade later. He quoted Bishop Matthew Kukah, saying, “No plastic or cosmetic surgeon can remove it. It is a scar I will die with”.

The former president recounted how Boko Haram began in 2009 during his tenure as Vice President under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and escalated when he assumed office in 2010. He spent five years battling the insurgency, deploying various strategies including dialogue and military action. Jonathan revealed that during one of the government’s peace initiatives, Boko Haram nominated Muhammadu Buhari, who would later succeed him, as their preferred negotiator. He expressed hope that Buhari’s presidency might have led to a resolution, but lamented that the insurgency persisted throughout Buhari’s administration and beyond.

Jonathan emphasized the complexity of Boko Haram, stating that the group’s operations defy simple explanations. He argued that the insurgency is not merely a product of poverty or hunger, pointing to the group’s access to sophisticated weaponry, sometimes surpassing that of Nigerian troops, as evidence of external support. “Sometimes they even had more munitions than our soldiers. That does not reflect the actions of hungry villagers,” he said.

He also addressed criticisms of his administration’s initial response to the Chibok abduction, which was widely viewed as slow and opaque. Civil society groups and international observers accused his government of politicizing the tragedy and failing to coordinate an effective rescue effort. Jonathan defended his silence at the time, explaining that it was meant to protect sensitive intelligence operations and avoid jeopardizing the lives of the girls.

Despite the pain and controversy surrounding the Chibok incident, Jonathan expressed optimism that Nigeria would eventually overcome the Boko Haram threat. He praised General Irabor’s documentation of the insurgency, noting the importance of recording history accurately so future generations can learn from it. He also called on other military officers involved in the fight against Boko Haram to share their experiences and insights to help unravel the true nature of the group.

Jonathan’s remarks serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of the Chibok tragedy, not only on the victims and their families but also on the national psyche and the leaders who bore witness to it. His candid reflection underscores the need for continued efforts to rescue the remaining girls, support survivors, and confront the deeper forces sustaining insurgency in Nigeria.