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Tag: Chibok girls

  • Buhari to Malala: FG working to secure Chibok girls’ release

    Buhari to Malala: FG working to secure Chibok girls’ release

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said the government is unrelenting in its efforts to ensure the safe return of the remaining Chibok girls.

    The President, who was apparently responding to a letter written to him by Ms. Malala Yousafzai, the Co-Founder of the Malala Fund, said while he cannot divulge the details of ongoing negotiations to secure the release of the school girls due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, assured on the doggedness, commitment and sincerity of the government to ensure the return of the girls and others still in captivity.

    According to a statement signed by the media aide to the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, the President also said Boko Haram will not be considered defeated without the rescue of the remaining Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by the insurgents.

    In the letter, dated January 10, 2017 and signed on his behalf by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the President said the gallant troops of the Nigerian military have recently scored a great victory by seizing control of the Sambisa Forest, the last stronghold of the Boko Haram elements who are responsible for the girls’ abduction.

    He, however, said that in line with his pledge that Boko Haram will not be considered defeated without the rescue of the girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by the insurgents, the military, the State Security Service and the other security agencies are intensifying efforts to ensure freedom for all those who remain in captivity.

    On the welfare of the 21 Chibok girls who regained their freedom on October 13, 2016, the President said the government has taken over the responsibility for their personal, educational and professional goals and ambitions in life.

    ”They are being given comprehensive medical, nutritional and psychological care and support, and anyone who has seen them in recent times will attest to the fact that their reintegration back to the society is progressing well. The Federal Government believes that it is not too late for the girls to go back to school, and everything will be done to ensure that they continue the pursuit of their studies,” he assured.

    President Buhari commended Ms. Malala for her continuing caring disposition towards the release of the girls who remain in captivity and the welfare of those who had regained their freedom, adding, ”there is no better example of the fact that we are all linked by our common humanity.”

  • Buhari vows to rescue Chibok girls

    Buhari vows to rescue Chibok girls

    President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to securing the release of the remaining pupils of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, abducted by Boko Haram insurgents.

    This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on the occasion of 1,000th day of the girls’ abduction.

    He said: “We are grateful to God that on this landmark day, we are not completely in the depths of despair, but buoyed with hope that our daughters will yet rejoin their families and loved ones.

    “Three of them have been recovered by our diligent military, while the freedom of 21 others was secured through engagement with their captors. We are hopeful that many more will still return as soon as practicable.”

    The President reiterated that the government would not spare any effort to reunite the girls with their families.

    “I salute the fortitude of the distraught parents. As a parent also, I identify with their plight. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, months turned to years, and today, it is 1,000 days. The tears never dry, the ache is in our hearts. But hope remains constant, eternal, and we believe our pains will be assuaged. Our hopes will not be shattered and our hearts will leap for joy, as more and more of our daughters return. It is a goal we remain steadfastly committed to,” the President stated.

    He hailed those who have been in the vanguard for the recovery of the girls, both nationally and internationally, adding: “Someday soon, we will all rejoice together. Our intelligence and security forces are unrelenting, and whatever it takes, we remain resolute.

    “Chibok community, Nigeria, and, indeed, the world, will yet rise in brotherhood, to welcome our remaining girls back home. We trust God for that eventuality.”

  • 1,000 days of abduction: Buhari vows to rescue remaining Chibok girls

    1,000 days of abduction: Buhari vows to rescue remaining Chibok girls

    In commemoration of the 1,000th day of the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the commitment of the Federal Government to securing the release of the student kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents.

    TheSpecial Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, stated this in a press statement on Sunday.

    He said: “We are grateful to God that on this landmark day, we are not completely in the depths of despair, but buoyed with hope that our daughters will yet rejoin their families and loved ones.

    “Three of them have been recovered by our diligent military, while the freedom of 21 others was secured through engagement with their captors. We are hopeful that many more will still return as soon as practicable,” he added.

    He also reiterated that the government would not spare any effort to reunite the girls with their families.

    “I salute the fortitude of the distraught parents. As a parent also, I identify with their plight. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, months turned to years, and today, it is 1,000 days. The tears never dry, the ache is in our hearts. But hope remains constant, eternal, and we believe our pains will be assuaged. Our hopes will not be shattered, and our hearts will leap for joy, as more and more of our daughters return. It is a goal we remain steadfastly committed to,” the President stated.

    He commended all who have been in the vanguard for the recovery of the girls, both nationally and internationally, adding: “Someday soon, we will all rejoice together. Our intelligence and security forces are unrelenting, and whatever it takes, we remain resolute.

    “Chibok community, Nigeria, and, indeed, the world, will yet rise in brotherhood, to welcome our remaining girls back home. We trust God for that eventuality.” He said

  • Rescued girl is no 49 on list – #BBOG

    Rescued girl is no 49 on list – #BBOG

    Members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) advocacy have said the newly rescued Chibok girl, Rakiya Abubakar Gali, is number 49 on their list.

    #BBOG confirmed that the girl who was rescued on Thursday alongside her six- month old baby is one of the remaining 196 Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity.

    The group’s spokesperson, Sesugh Akume, said “Rakiya Abubakar Gali is #49 on our list.”

  • Military will not disclose Chibok girls’ whereabouts – DHQ

    Military will not disclose Chibok girls’ whereabouts – DHQ

    Despite the liberation of Sambisa forest where the Chibok girls were reportedly kept by their Boko Haram captors, the Nigerian military has said it would not disclose the girls’ whereabouts.

    Over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, were abducted from their hostels in April 2014.

    About 30 of them have regained freedom since last year, while others are still in captivity.

    Briefing journalists on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubarkar said “neither the military nor any security agency will give information on the Chibok girls in order not to jeopardize their safety.”

    Abubarkar, who assured that the military will do everything to rescue the girls however pointed out that “information on strategy to rescue the will never be disclosed.”

    On Boko Haram, the Defence spokesman said the terror group is now in disarray and had been destroyed.

    He said the pockets of attacks being witnessed are carried out by escapees, stating that” Boko Haram can never regroup as they did in Sambisa forest.”

    He also said the female suicide bombers are persons who were drugged before they are sent on the suicide mission.

     

  • NMA pledges more support to freed Chibok girls

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has promised to sustain its efforts at providing specialist care to the released Chibok girls and other victims of insurgency.

    Dr Yusuf Sununu, the Secretary General of the association, made the pledge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday (NAN) in Abuja.

    Sununu noted that the released Chibok girls were experiencing emotional and psychological torture, among other challenges.

    He assured that NMA has the right capacity to provide medicare services and special care that would guarantee better future for the victims.

    The general secretary identified areas of care to include psycho-social support, reintegrating them with their families, recommending necessary investigation, carrying out investigation, interpreting and recommending the desired services.

    “We can seat with parents, educate them on the need to accept their children no matter the condition. Their families must accept them and understand that they did not subject themselves to that.

    “For them to be reintegrated into the families parents must accept that those changes are there; must understand that they have passed through situations that may have changed their psychological outlook and behavior, among others,’’ he said.

    However, the scribe stressed that the victims needed full support and assistance of family members, governments and other philanthropists to be fully reintegrated into the society.

    Sununu explained that a lot of them were held in captivity without babies but came back with babies, noting that this must have exposed them to varying sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

    He said that they required thorough medical examination to ascertain if they have been infected with HIV, syphilis and other STDs.

    Sununu, who further noted that the girls were malnourished, however said the association would generate physical and laboratory investigation to ascertain the nutritional deficiency confronting them and make adequate replacement of those elements.

    “We have identified what their problems are, they have been in captivity for almost two years, separated from their families, undergo torture, also tormented by constant gunshot, bomb blasts, among others.

    “So, these nasty experiences can give them psychological stress. Since they have been released from captivity we have to look at this issue and find a way to address them headlong.

    “First, they must get assurance that their safety is guaranteed, they must undergo a thorough medical checkup with regard to STDs because some of them went there without babies but came back with babies.

    “They need to be screened for STDs, HIV, Syphilis, among others, that may be of health significant currently or in future,’’ Sununu noted.

    About 45 Chibok school girls had so far been rescued out of over 200 abducted in April 14, 2014, by Boko Haram insurgents.

  • Govt promises good education for Chibok girls

    Govt promises good education for Chibok girls

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has promised qualitative education for the 21 Chibok schoolgirls recently freed from Boko Haram incarceration.
    The schoolgirls were part of the over 200 pupils abducted at the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok on April 14, 2014.
    The governor visited the girls in the private residence where they were being held in Chibok town, saying he was happy to see them in a cheerful mood. He urged them to think about their future.
    Shettima said: “As you know, 56 of your colleagues who escaped abduction are currently in two international schools where they have been since 2014. We are taking care of all their educational needs from school fees to other basics. Left to me, I would want the 21 of you to join them in those two schools so that you can all feel at home and move on.
    “However, the Federal Government has a plan which we will jointly discuss and come up with a decision that is acceptable to you our daughters. President Muhammadu Buhari loves you so much and he is deeply concerned about our daughters that are yet to be freed. He is working on that and we are all working.”
    The governor was accompanied by Senate leader Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) under whose district Chibok falls,   representatives of Chibok community alongside other top government functionaries. Shettima entertained the girls and their relatives before visiting other projects in Chibok.
    The girls thanked the governor and presented a gift of a medium-sized photo frame with a bold ‘THANK YOU’ printed on it. The frame has pictures the governor took with the girls when he visited them in Abuja. The frame also has individual pictures of each of the 21 girls.
    Glory Dama, one of the 21 girls, presented the photo frame on behalf of her colleagues. She said they deeply appreciated the show of love by Governor Shettima and his wife, Nana.” Governor Shettima is a dear father”, she said.
    Shettima also announced the appointment of Yakubu Nkeki, the Chairman of an association of the Chibok schoolgirls’ Parents as councillor of Mbalala ward in Chibok local government area.
    “We appointed Yakubu Nkeki as councillor for him to have a formal platform to continue his advocacy for the welfare of families of missing Chibok girls, for him to ensure that they are given special consideration at all times by the local government area on all issues, particularly on welfare, on issues of their health, empowerment etc.
    “Nkeki will also serve as a constant reminder to the council that there are parents like him who live in pains. He is simply there to advocate for the welfare of the parents and also as someone who has been a victim, he will stand by efforts of government to protect schools through Community surveillance in addition to formal security establishments” Shettima said.
    The governor also consoled parents whose daughters are yet to be recovered, promising that all hands are on deck to ensure the return of all the girls.
    Shettima presented gifts of assorted clothing to the girls and their parents.”Nothing is too much for these girls and their parents. They have suffered so much and deserve our support” the governor said.
    The 21 schoolgirls were taken to Chibok by the Federal Government to spend their first Christmas in the town with their families. However, it was not a homecoming for the girls who were prevented from leaving the expansive compound of Hon. Aimu Foni, the member representing Chibok in the House of Assembly.
    There was a massive security build-up prior to the arrival of the girls last Friday.
    The Brigade Commander, 28 Task Force Brigade, Mubi, Brig. Gen. Felix Omoigui, also relocated to Chibok.
    Apart from the Army, there were personnel of the Department of State Security (DSS) the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) with the operational name of ‘crack’, the Nigeria Peace Corps, The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Borno State Vigilante Group, the Baka Boys, among others.
    It was learnt that none of the 21 girls is from Chibok town but from surrounding villages under Chibok local government.
    Also, many of the family and friends who besieged Chibok town for a chance to see their daughters were left in frustration as security cordon prevented them from seeing the girls.
    “ We have been waiting since 7:am to see our daughter but the security is preventing us, we are not from Chibok and we have to ride bicycle for two hours to get to our village, we do not understand why the government is hiding them,” a parent complained.
    It was also learnt that residents of Chibok town have been under increased restrictions as soldiers mounted guard around the perimeter of the house curtailing the movement of the people.
    A high ranking security operative explained that the security of the girls was of utmost importance. The official who pleaded anonymity said there were security reports that Boko Haram might want to embarrass the government by recapturing the girls.
    “The families should please exercise patience, we have a red alert and we have instructions to protect these girls with everything we have got. Soon, everything will be okay,” the official said.

  • Shettima spends Boxing day with Chibok girls

    Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State spent the Boxing Day with the recently freed 21 Chibok girls.

    Shettima told the girls that with their cheerful mood, the next concern had to be their future.

    The girls who were students of  Government’s Girls Secondary School (GSSS),in the town were at home to spend the Christmas with their parents, the first celebration they would have together since April 14, 2014 when they were captured by Boko Haram gunmen.

    NAN reports that the 21 girls have been under the care of the Federal Government in Abuja, since they were released in october.

    Armed soldiers and officials of the Department of State Services followed the 21 girls to Chibok and provided security shield throughout the Christmas”

    Shettima told the girls and their parents: “As you know, 56 of your colleagues who escaped abduction are currently in two international schools where they have been since 2014.

    “We are taking care of all their educational needs from school fees to other basics. Left to me, I would want the 21 of you to join them in those two schools so that you can all feel at home and move on.

    “However, the Federal Government has a plan which we will jointly discuss and come up with a decision that is acceptable to you our daughters.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari loves you so much and he is deeply concerned about our daughters that are yet to be freed. He is working on that and we are all working” Shettima said.

    Shettima also announced the appointment of ‎Yakubu Nkeki, the Chairman of an association of the Chibok schoolgirls’ Parents as councillor of Mbalala ward in Chibok local government area.

    ‎”We appointed Yakubu Nkeki as councillor for him to have a formal platform to continue his advocacy for the welfare of families of missing Chibok girls, for him to ensure that they are given special consideration at all times by the local government area on all issues, particularly on welfare, on issues of their health, empowerment etc.

    “NKeki will also serve as a constant reminder to the council that there are parents like him who live in pains. He is simply there to advocate for the welfare of the parents and also as someone who has been a victim, he will stand by efforts of Government to protect schools through Community surveillance in addition to formal security establishments” Shettima said.

    The Governor also consoled parents whose daughters are yet to be recovered, promising that all hands are on deck to ensure the return of all the girls.

    “I will be meeting the parents tomorrow (Tuesday)” he said.

    Shettima presented gifts of assorted clothing to the girls and their parents.

    “Nothing is too much for these girls and their parents. They have suffered too much and deserve our support” the Governor said.

    NAN recalls that the  21 schoolgirls were  freed by the Boko Haram in October, 2016 following a negotiation with the insurgents that was brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. (NAN)

  • No new Chibok girls released, says Presidency

    The Presidency last night denied that another 21 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram from their school have been released by their abductors.

    Media reports had claimed that another 21 girls were freed yesterday and were brought to the Yola International Airport, Adamawa State, 3 pm.

    But presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said the girls seen at the airport were the ones released in October.

    “No new girls have been released but by God’s grace, they will be. Happy Christmas, everyone,” Shehu said.

    He added: “Today, the DSS took the 21 Girls already secured to Yola, Adamawa State on their way home to celebrate the Christmas with their families.”

    He, however, confirmed that negotiations for the release of more of the kidnapped girls were still ongoing.

    “The negotiations are ongoing and the Department of State Service (DSS) is full of optimism that they will be successful.

     

  • Pay attention to us like Chibok girls, wounded soldier urges Nigerians

    Pay attention to us like Chibok girls, wounded soldier urges Nigerians

    Cpl. Ibrahim Usman, one of wounded soldiers in the fight against the  Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East, has called on Nigerians to pay more attention to troops’ welfare.

    Usman made the appeal in an interview with newsmen on Monday, when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, visited wounded soldiers at hospitals in Maiduguri.

    The soldier, who was admitted to military hospital, Maimalari Cantonment, about three weeks ago, urged Nigerians to pay attention to soldiers’ well being in the frontline just as they were doing for the missing Chibok girls.

    According to Usman, his two legs broke during an explosion when a vehicle conveying him and nine other soldiers to Monguno in Borno north during an operation stepped on mine planted by the terrorists.

    “We need Nigerians to take care of us. Like this my injury, broken legs, they suppose to take me to a specialist hospital or abroad for a good treatment.

    “If it is these girls – Chibok school girls, they will take them abroad. We are the ones fighting in the bush,’’ Usman said.

    Although the solider said that he was responding to treatment, he said would retire from the military when he gets well due to the injury.

    “I cannot fight again because I do not have that strength any more. My legs are broken.

    “If I get well, I will retire because my legs are broken. I can no longer go and fight the insurgents,’’ Usman.

    Another soldier, Sgt. Ahmed Musa, however, thanked the army chief for visiting wounded soldiers in the hospital.

    Musa of 119 Battalion Task Force, Mallam Fatori said: “My situation when I got here was worse but God I am getting healed.”

    “I have injury in one of my hands. When he – Buratai came here we are happy because when we came here we did not see anybody. We appreciate the way he comes here,’’ he said.

    According to Cpl. Innocent Gabriel, a nurse attending to one of the wounded soldiers at the time of the visit, the common cases of injury are fractures resulting from explosions and gunshots.

    Gabriel said that most of wounded soldiers were responding to treatment, adding that some of them may be taken to the theatre.

    The doctor in charge of the hospital, Lt.-Col. Ndidi Onuchukwu, a Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon, said that 97 wounded soldiers were being treated in the facility which had capacity for 105 patients.

    Onuchukwu said that the worst cases come from combat injuries, adding that the hospital was,collaborating with the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital – UMTH to give the best to them.

    Speaking after the visit, Buratai described it as “operation and welfare visit” to encourage the wounded soldiers.

    He said that most of them would soon be discharged and commended troops for efforts in the war against the insurgents.

    Prof. Abdurrahman Tahir, the Chief Medical Director of UMTH, lauded the army for the prompt settlement of its personnel medical bills. (NAN)