The Federal Government on Thursday held closed door discussions with relations and relatives of abducted Chibok girls, briefing them about how far the administration had gone in securing the release of their wards from captivity of the terrorists.
The girls numbering over 200 were abducted from their hostels at girls’ college in Chibok, Borno State on 14, April, 2014 by members of Boko Haram terrorists.
In a statement made available on Thursday morning, Olawale Rasheed, special assistant to Wakil Mohammed to Minister of State for Power said the meeting with parents of the abducted girls centred on FG’s commitment to safe return of the girls.
Olawale added that Wakil represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the meeting while the families of the girls were led by Mrs Pindar Dauda.
The youth leader of the Chibok community was also in attendance with some elders of the community.
According to Rasheed, Wakil told the parents that the FG under President Jonathan has devised comprehensive counter- insurgency strategies which has as its central goals reclaiming of occupied territories, rescue of abducted persons, resettlement of Internally displaced persons, IDPs, and the rehabilitation of insurgency ravaged communities.
“Mr President is pursuing multi- faceted strategies which address the pains ,anger and frustrations of victims . Our President directed me to tell you that his government is committed to doing everything possible for the safe return of your daughters.
“I am here to convey the sympathy of Mr President and the entire Federal cabinet to you -the parents and families as well as all other victims. As you are all aware, our military is having the upper hand in this sacred war. We believe by the grace of God that your children will return safely,” the President’s representative said.
Speaking further, the Minister hail the families for refusing to support the politicisation of the regrettable abduction, adding that, “your presence here to listen to the message of Mr President confirms your belief in the ongoing counter insurgency operations as a solution to our collective challenge.
“I assure you that not only will rescue operations be successful, the other three goals of reclaiming occupied territories, resettlement of IDPS and rebuilding of communities, will be pursued to a logical conclusion. This is a personal pledge of Mr. President which the entire administration is committed to,” Rasheed quoted the minister as saying in the statement.
Responding the spokesperson of the parents and families, Mrs Pindar Dauda thanked the president for his concern and sympathy while praying for the success of the ongoing military operations.
Speaking in local language, Mrs. Dauda said :”I appeal to president Jonathan not to relent. He should continue with the war on Boko Haram. He should get our children back for us safely. We are praying for him and the military”, Rasheed said of the proceeding at the meeting in the statement.
