President Buhari Reiterates FG’s Commitment To Free Chibok Girls Still In Captivity

President Muhammadu Buhari says that the
Federal Government will do everything within its
capacity to secure the freedom of the remaining
Chibok schoolgirls in captivity of Boko Haram. President Buhari The President, who said this in a message to mark
the 3rd anniversary of the abduction of the
Chibok schoolgirls on April 14, noted that the
administration was willing to bend over backwards
to make the abductors of the girls release them. According to him, the Federal Government has
engaged local and international intermediaries in
reaching out to members of Boko Haram for the
safe release of the Chibok girls. “Like I have repeatedly said, the Federal
Government is willing to bend over backwards to
secure the release of the remaining Chibok girls. “We have reached out to their captors through
local and international intermediaries, and we are
ever ready to do everything within our means to
ensure the safe release of all the girls. “I wish to reassure the parents of the Chibok girls,
all well-meaning Nigerians, organisations and the
international community that as a government, we
are unrelenting on the issue of the safe return of
our children. “I trust God that soon, our collective efforts will be
rewarded with the safe return of our schoolgirls to
their families, friends and their communities.’’ President Buhari stated that Nigerians had every
reason to celebrate the return of 24 of the Chibok
schoolgirls as well as thousands of other Nigerians
who were abducted by the terrorists. He said government was in constant touch
through negotiations and local intelligence to
secure the release of the remaining girls and other
abducted persons unharmed. “As a parent, I am eternally grateful to God that
some of the girls were found alive and have been
reunited with their families,’’ he added. According to the President, government is doing
all within its powers to reintegrate the freed girls to
normal life. The President expressed appreciation to the
parents and families of the abducted girls that had
endured three years of agony and waiting for the
return of their children. He appealed to the parents and all Nigerians not to
lose hope on the return of the remaining
schoolgirls. “My special appreciation goes to the parents and
families that have endured three years of agony
and waiting for the return of their children. “I feel what you feel. Your children are my
children. On this solemn occasion, my appeal is
that we must not lose hope on the return of our
remaining schoolgirls. “Our intelligence and security forces, who have
aptly demonstrated their competence, are very
much equal to the task and absolutely committed
to the efforts to find and return the schoolgirls and
others abducted by Boko Haram.’’ He commended the Lake Chad Basin countries,
friendly nations and international partners, who at
various points in the last three years had offered
their support for Nigeria.