Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu sparked widespread fury by claiming that some abducted Chibok schoolgirls refused rescue after developing romantic feelings for their Boko Haram terrorist captors.
Tinubu made the controversial remarks during a recent U.S. visit, where she attended the National Prayer Breakfast and spoke to The Free Press about Nigeria’s security woes.
She explained that the government persisted in rescue attempts for the remaining girls kidnapped in 2014 “until they learned recently that most of them fell in love with their abductors, so that’s quite difficult. You know, they refuse to come back.”
Boko Haram terrorists stormed the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014, and seized 276 students in a nighttime raid that shocked the world.
Over the years, 185 girls escaped or gained freedom through negotiations and military operations, but 91 remain missing, according to United Nations estimates.
The abduction ignited the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign, drawing attention from figures like Michelle Obama and Malala Yousafzai.
However, Tinubu’s comments, published on February 13, 2026, shifted the narrative dramatically.
She tied the girls’ alleged reluctance to broader security challenges in Nigeria, including ongoing terrorist attacks in the north.
Moreover, she aimed to counter social media claims of a “Christian genocide” during her U.S. trip, asserting that her presence there clarified misconceptions about religious violence.
Critics swiftly condemned the statement as insensitive and victim-blaming.
On X, users like @Olag0ke blasted, “Pastor Remi Tinubu said Chibok Girls are now in love with their terrorist husbands so they can’t rescue them anymore. Nawa,” garnering thousands of likes and reposts.
Similarly, @dangbanamanager
accused her of excusing government failure by mislabeling trauma as love, calling it “cold, clueless, and dangerously detached from reality.”
In addition, psychologists pointed to Stockholm syndrome—a psychological response where captives bond with abusers as a survival tactic—as a more accurate explanation, rather than genuine affection.
Despite the backlash, no official clarification emerged from the presidency by February 14, 2026, leaving families and advocates frustrated.
Meanwhile, the Chibok saga underscores Nigeria’s persistent battle against Boko Haram terrorists, who continue abductions and attacks.
Parents of the missing girls previously appealed to Tinubu in 2024, urging her to use her influence for their return, but progress remains slow.
As outrage builds, activists demand renewed action to free the girls and address the root causes of terrorism in the region.
