The Federal Government of Nigeria on Wednesday stated that Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu and others in captivity of Boko Haram insurgents have not forgotten by the Federal Government.
It gave out assurances that plans were in motion to rescue them from their captors even as it makes more efforts to prevent further kidnap of students from schools across the country.
Recall that yesterday (Wednesday) was the 7th anniversary of the day about 276 girls were abducted from Chibok Secondary School in Chibok, a community in Borno State.
Baack then, some of the girls were said to have escaped and others were rescued by the military but about a hundred of them are still believed to be with their abductors.
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The kidnap attracted local and international outcries, which led to various protests including that from a group called the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG) which all demanded the rescue of the girls to reunite them with their families.
Sadly, some of the girls are still being held by their captors up till date.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, while speaking onon the 7th anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, said relevant ministries and agencies were working to ensure the rescue of those still with their captors.
She said: ‘As the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, it grieves me to have to mark this 7th anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls.
‘Our government came into power with a public mandate to control the insurgency in the north east that led to the Chibok girls’ abduction and to fight the corruption that hampered the rescue effort, which corruption created the deprivations that have made the north east a breeding area for terrorists.
‘We have achieved a lot but significant work remains for all levels of government. Half of the Chibok girls have been rescued and reunited with their families and have resumed their education.
‘We will continue working to bring back those left behind. Local, State, and Federal government readiness to respond to attacks on schools is greatly improved.
‘We are working to prevent such attacks from occurring in the first place’.
She continued: ‘I cannot speak openly about the security strategies and measures but I can assure you that your government holds the safety and security of its citizens as our sacred duty.
‘We are fighting a regional tide of criminality and violent extremism in partnership with others.
‘Let me assure the parents of the Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu and other abductees, that this government has not forgotten you.
‘We have heard your demands and the responsible ministries and agencies will respond on behalf of the government.’ She reassured.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
