President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that he would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the return of the remaining Chibok girls.
Chibok girls are the students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, kidnapped by the terrorists group, Boko Haram, on April 14, 2014.
The Presidency who made the assertion of the president known also disclosed reasons behind the non-release of Leah Sharibu, the only student of Science Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe State, kidnapped along with others on February 19, 2018.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidency said Buhari reminded the parents of the remaining Chibok girls that he had not forgotten their daughters still in the den of the kidnappers.
The Presidency said the president was aware that the promise he made to bring back the girls was the main reason the people of Chibok voted overwhelmingly for him in the February elections.
He said although his government had so far succeeded in bringing back 107 of the girls, he would not rest until the remaining were reunited with their families.
President Buhari assured the parents that his administration was still on the matter.
Diverse efforts, the president was quoted as saying, were being intensified to secure the release of the Chibok girls, along with all hostages in Boko Haram captivity, including Leah Sharibu.
On Leah Sharibu’s abduction, the Presidency said the interlocutors had reported encouraging progress so far.
“The report reaching us says her return to her family has unfortunately been hindered by the fear of the militants.
“They worry that heavy military presence in areas where they previously moved about freely could affect their safety after they return her to the government.
“At the same time, the military cannot jeopardise the security of the entire north-eastern region by halting their operations to accommodate Boko Haram’s fears.
“Leah Sharibu will be reunited with her family as soon as any conclusions are reached on a number of options being considered for her safe transportation,” the statement reads in part.
The Presidency said the success of the Nigerian military in subduing Boko Haram was evident in the large numbers of militants who had surrendered recently, especially in neighbouring Cameroon and Niger.
It said a similar mass surrender of militants was expected to happen soon in Nigeria.
The Presidency said while Nigerian military operations were ongoing, the government was also engaging with the militants but the talks had been affected by the factionalisation of Boko Haram – with one group adopting a hard line attitude and intensifying attacks on Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, and another group engaging with the government for peaceful resolution.
“President Buhari also uses this opportunity of the commemoration of the Chibok tragedy to commend the girls, now women, who have triumphed over it all.
“He sends special greetings to the 106 girls sponsored by the Nigerian government to continue their studies at the American University of Nigeria, Yola.
“He encourages them to stay focused on becoming women who will inspire girls in Nigeria and around the world to triumph over the daily battles they face in a world that is often unfair to the girl-child.
“President Buhari also extends his best wishes to Chibok girls in other schools in Nigeria and around the world.
“He sends special congratulations to Kauna Yaga Bitrus, who has excelled beyond expectations in her college in Maine, USA, and who is soon to receive a special ‘Against All Odds Award’ from her school,” the statement reads in part.
