Yesterday there were reports that about 500 children aged 11 and under are missing from a Nigerian town recaptured from militants, a former resident of Damasak has told the BBC. This is in addition to the anxious wait that continues for the release of the abducted Chibok girls who were captured in April 2014. 

A group of young girls from Girls’ Brigade England & Wales delivered cards of hope last week, made to raise awareness of the kidnapped Chibok girls, to the UK Foreign Office and to the door of Number 10 Downing Street. 

Around 2,500 Cards of Hope were created by Girls’ Brigade groups as part of a campaign to advocate for the 219 kidnapped Chibok girls in Nigeria – six of whom are members of Girls’ Brigade Nigeria. 

The girls were accompanied by Girls’ Brigade leaders and supporters. 

They presented the cards to Baroness Joyce Anelay at the UK Foreign Office. A symbolic 219 were delivered to the door of Number 10 Downing Street. 

Baroness Anelay said: “For me the important thing is to say that people care and haven't forgotten about the Chibok girls, and girls getting education, and the evidence of this is the visit I had from the Girls' Brigade.” 

Lily, aged 10, from 5th Reading, read a poem she had written to Baroness Anelay. She said: “I think the most important thing Baroness Anelay said was never give up because we need to continue to show how much we care for the missing girls.” 

The delegation of hope consisted of leaders, girls and supporters from 39th Birmingham, 5th Reading, 3rd Halesowen, and Croydon Tabernacle. These groups are just a few of 100 Girls’ Brigade groups who have been campaigning for the missing girls. 

Busola, aged 11, from Croydon Tabernacle, said: “My highlight of the day was going to Number 10 Downing Street because I hadn’t been there before and we got to deliver the cards.”