Plenty talk, no action as Buhari, Saraki speak on Chibok girls

As the world marks the second anniversary, since the kidnap of about 219 female students from a secondary school in Chibok, Bauchi State, political leaders have offered more assurances that they will be rescued alive, and reunited with their families.

A video made public yesterday as proof of live showed some of the girls, who were identified as girls from the Chibok community, prompting renewed calls for their rescue by many who felt the government was not doing enough to bring them home.
On the second anniversary of their kidnap, President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President, Bukola Saraki again issued statements to say government was committed to the safe return of the Chibok girls, and that they would not rest until the girls are rescued and reunited with their families.

Buhari who appealed to the distraught parents of the girls to be patient with him, also called for understanding as his administration continues to work round the clock to ensure the release of the abducted girls.

His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement issued Thursday, said, “The President continues to believe that with the total commitment of the Federal Government, Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies, and the support of the international community, the girls will be eventually rescued.

“President Buhari notes that thousands of persons, mostly women and children, who were kidnapped by Boko Haram, have already been rescued and reunited with their families. He shares the hope of the parents that the Chibok girls will ultimately be rescued and reunited with their families as well.

“The President assures the parents that the Federal Government and security agencies will continue to explore all possible options for the safe return of the girls”, he said.

Read also: Inside details of how Saraki’s trial is stalling 2016 Budget

This was on a day security operatives blocked activists calling for the rescue of the girls from accessing the Presidential
Villa, Abuja, during a quiet protest march.

On his part, Saraki, also in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu said the Senate is committed to the safe return of the Chibok girls abducted two years ago by Boko Haram insurgents, and that members of the legislative would not rest until the girls are rescued and reunited with their families.

Saraki spoke when the Women Arise for Change Initiative led by its President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin visited him in Abuja as part of activities to mark the second year anniversary of the kidnap of the Chibok girls and also to present a Guideline on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and young persons in Nigeria to him.

The Senate President also expressed optimism that the efforts at rescuing the Chibok girls is moving towards a positive conclusion.

“Today also symbolizes two years in which we had this horrific event of the kidnap of the Chibok girls. So far, as we all recognize, I believe that we are getting closer to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“I want to assure you that none of us would rest until the Chibok girls are safely rescued. We will play our roles to give all the support we can and I think that we must commend our officers and men for having done very well.

“However, we urge all our security agencies to do more because we can only say you have done very well after the girls are back to their families. Anything else is just an effort and work in progress.

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