A total of 276 girls were taken from the Christian northeastern town of Chibok by the rebels in April. The majority of the schoolchildren remain missing, despite international pressure for their safe return — including the celebrity-endorsed #BringBackOurGirls social media campaign backed by Michelle Obama and David Cameron, among others. However, the 23-year-old musician and actress from the country’s Imo State, who is also a UN Ambassador of Peace, took the protest to the next extreme.
“It is just unfair. They are too young. I wish I could offer myself in exchange,” she told Nigerian publicationVanguard. “They are between 12 and 15 year old girls for Christ sake. I am older and more experienced,” she said. “Even if 10 to 12 men have to take me every night, I don’t care. Just release these girls and let them go back to their parents,” the singer added. Her comments received a mixed reaction via social media. Some fans praised her offer as “brave” and branded her a “hero”. Others, however, interpreted her bold statement as an opportunistic publicity stunt.