Who We Are
We are Nigerians and Nigerian Americans who came together to educate Americans about the plight of our brothers and sisters in Nigeria who have been taken captive. We aim to build an activist human rights movement to enlist America and its power to free the slaves.
Purpose
There is a rising sense of impunity with which non-Muslims in Nigeria may be attacked and persecuted. Christians, like those from Middle Belt and Northern regions, as well as indigenous associations like the Biafra movement and #EndSars protestors (who challenge the anti-robbery police) are treated with similar contempt. Those who harm, persecute, and enslave non-Muslims are not arrested and are often released or integrated into society — even the Nigerian army. Once in the army, they continue to act for Boko Haram’s interests, thwarting legitimate efforts to fight the terrorists and rescue non-Muslim slaves.
The reality of Boko Haram/ISWAP jihad slavery in Nigeria first came to Western attention with First Lady Michelle Obama’s “#BringBackOurGirls” hashtag in the wake of the abduction of 276 Christian girls from the town of Chibok on April 14, 2014. Today, many of these girls remain as slaves and the world has largely forgotten.
Yet, it continues with girls like Leah Sharibu, who remains a slave to this day for her refusal to renounce her faith in Christ. Pressure on the Nigerian government to stop these incidents and free the slaves has been insignificant. Additionally, the human rights community has failed to bring adequate attention and publicity, for these atrocities are “politically incorrect” because they are committed by Islamic militants and terrorists.
The U.S. State Department’s 2019 human rights report on Nigeria does not give an official figure for the number of people enslaved by jihadists, but says that it could be in the thousands. One is too many, and that is the reason for this Committee’s formation. We appeal to citizens and political leaders alike, to Rally for Nigeria so that we can Free Nigerian Slaves and End Slavery Now!
Signed:
Committee to Free Nigerian Slaves
Pastor Ayo Adedoyin
International Organisation for Peace-building and Social Justice (UK)
Dr. Oluwasayo Ajiboye
President, Mission Africa International
Stephen Enada
Co-Founder, International Committee on Nigeria
Mark Lipdo
CEO and President, Stefanos Foundation
The Venerable Dr. Samuel Orimogunje and Deborah Orimogunje
Archdeacon for Long Island in the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word
Dr. Gloria Puldu
President, LEAH Foundation
Suleman A. D. Sukukum
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association
Pastor Yakubu Bakfwash
Committee to Free Nigerian Slaves