The Chibok kidnapping marked the inaugural significant school abduction in the West African nation.

A movie premiered in Lagos, Nigeria as part of commemorating the 10th anniversary of a largely forgotten tragedy in the Chibok community, following the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram insurgents from a boarding school in Chibok, Borno state.

Titled "Statues Also Breathe," the film was a collaboration between French artist Prune Nourry and Nigeria’s Obafemi Awolowo University.

The Chibok kidnapping marked the first major school abduction in Nigeria, with subsequent incidents affecting over 1,400 students, primarily in conflict-affected regions.

Despite ransom payments and government-backed negotiations, suspects are rarely apprehended.

“This collaboration aims to raise awareness about the ongoing plight of the missing girls, while also shedding light on the global struggle for girls’ education,” stated Nourry.

The 17-minute film commences with an aerial perspective of 108 sculptures — representing the number of girls who were still missing at the inception of the art project. These sculptures endeavor to depict the current appearance of the girls, utilizing images provided by their families, encompassing facial expressions, hairstyles, and discernible features.

The film intricately documents the artistic journey behind the exhibit, initially showcased in November 2022, featuring sculptures reminiscent of ancient Nigerian Ife terracotta heads.

Concerns persist among analysts regarding the enduring security vulnerabilities in numerous schools across the region, echoing the circumstances that led to the Chibok kidnapping.