My dear children. This is a happy moment for me and for all
Nigerians. I welcome you back to freedom. It is a moment your parents, the
Nation and the International Community have been eagerly waiting for, since
your abduction on 14th April 2014.
We must from the onset, thank Almighty God for this day that
21 of the Chibok girls have again breathed the air of freedom
and are reunited with their parents. We are equally prayerful, that God in his
infinite mercies and benevolence, will see to it that
the girls remaining in captivity will be freed and returned to us
soonest.
All Nigerians recall, sadly the night of 14th April 2014,
276 young female Nigerian students were abducted from the Government Secondary
School in Chibok Borno State by the Boko Haram.
Fortunately, 57 of the kidnapped school girls were
able to escape, leaving 219 in captivity. One of the abducted girls, Amina
Ali was found in May 2016. And today we are here celebrating the freedom and
return of another 21 girls that regained freedom on Thursday 13th
October. We are equally as hopeful as we are praying, that the
remaining girls will be freed and returned to us without further
delay.
The release of these 21 girls followed a series of
negotiations between Government and the Boko Haram group, brokered by our
friends both local and International. Since this Administration assumed office,
we have been working towards the safe release of the girls. The Nigerian
DSS, Military and other Security Agencies have spared no effort to secure
our girls. These 21 girls are the manifestation of our
doggedness and commitments to the release and return of
the Chibok girls.
While joining their parents to rejoice and praise the
Almighty, we shall redouble efforts to ensure that we fulfill our pledge of bringing
the remaining girls back home. Already, the credible first step has
been taken and Government will sustain the effort until all the
remaining girls return safely.
These 21 girls will be given adequate and
comprehensive medical, nutritional and psychological care and support. The
Federal Government will rehabilitate them, and ensure that their
reintegration back to the Society is done as quickly as possible.
Aside from rescuing them, we are assuming the responsibility
for their personal, educational and professional goals and ambitions in life.
Obviously, it is not late for the girls to go back to school and
continue the pursuit of their studies.
These dear daughters of ours have seen the worst that the
world has to offer. It is now time for them to experience the best that the
world can do for them. The Government and all Nigerians must encourage
them to achieve their desired ambitions.
The Federal Government appreciates the patience and
understanding of the parents of all the abducted Chibok girls.
We equally thank Nigerians and the International Community for their support
and prayers, and for never losing confidence in our ability to secure the safe
release of our girls.
Once again, I congratulate the 21 released girls, their
parents, the Chibok Community the security agencies and all Nigerians
on this day of delight and rejoicing.
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