- Title: Nigerian mothers of kidnapped Chibok girls find strength in new film
- Date: 1st March 2026
- Summary: LAGOS, NIGERIA (FEBRUARY 28, 2026) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE TAKING PICTURES WITH BANNER READING (English): "Mothers of Chibok" PEOPLE ENTERING CINEMA VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE WATCHING MOTHERS OF CHIBOK DOCUMENTARY (SOUNDBITE) (English) DOCUMENTARY DIRECTOR, JOEL KACHI BENSON, SAYING: "Making a film like this is tough because you're constantly confronted with the grief. You
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: chibok documentary education film girls government insurgence justice kidnap kidnapping lagos nigeria society theatre women world
- Location: LAGOS, NIGERIA
- City: LAGOS, NIGERIA
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: Africa,Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Theatre
- Reuters ID: LVA001931428022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Ten years after Boko Haram shocked the world by kidnapping 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, a new documentary is telling the story of the mothers left behind.
But "Mothers of Chibok" isn't just about sorrow it's about strength.
The film, directed by Emmy-winning Nigerian filmmaker Joel Kachi Benson, follows four mothers through a farming season as they rebuild their lives while still hoping for their daughters' return, "making a film like this is tough because you're constantly confronted with the grief," he said.
The mothers themselves attended the premiere, receiving standing ovations from an emotional audience.
One of them, Yana Galang, whose daughter Rifkatu remains in captivity, spoke about finding strength in unimaginable circumstances.
"We Chibok people must be charismatic in our lives, we accept whatever happens, the sweet and the sour, we depend on the situation we find ourselves in. We agree it will happen among us, that is why we got strength to continue all those things that we are doing for the progress of our life", Galang said.
The documentary has already won international acclaim, including the Encounters Al Jazeera Award for Best African Feature-Length Documentary.
Renowned Nigerian actress Joke Silva, who signed on as Executive Producer, emphasised the film's importance saying, "The story now has been archived. We will never forget the mothers of Chibok because we have it on film."
The premiere featured displays of groundnut butter made by the Chibok mothers, showcasing their entrepreneurial efforts despite their ongoing trauma.
For audience members like teacher Ibironke Paul-David, the film offered powerful lessons. "I felt replenished. I felt like I've learned a lot about my own country. I've learned a lot about my own people. I've learned the story of resilience. I've learned the story of supporting one another, being together, togetherness, being one."
As "Mothers of Chibok" opens in theaters across Nigeria and Ghana, 82 girls remain in captivity and 1,400 more children have been kidnapped since, their families continue fighting.
(Production: Kazeem Sanni) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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