Boko Haram releases 21 Chibok girls to Federal Government

…Bring Back Our Girls hails military

By: OKOSUN DENNIS

After been held incommunicado for 865 days, 21 out of the more than 200 Chibok school girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents have been released to the Federal government of Nigeria.

Confirming the release, the media spokesperson to the president, Garba Shehu, said “it is confirmed that 21 of the missing Chibok girls have been released and are in the custody of the Department of State Security Services (DSS).”

The over 200 Chibok school girls were kidnapped by Islamist Boko Haram insurgents in April 14, 2014 in their school dormitory. Since then, only one was able to escape early this year with a four-month old baby.

It was gathered that the girls were picked up by military helicopter from Banki area of Borno state where Boko Haram militants dropped them off earlier today.

In a swift reaction, the “Bring Back Our Girls “ (BBOG) campaigners led by Dr Oby Ezekwesili and Aisha Yesufu in a jointly signed press statement on behalf of BBOG in Abuja hailed the release of the girls.

“We welcome reports from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, of the negotiated release of 21 of our abducted ChibokGirls today. This wonderful development confirms what we have always known about the capacity of our government to rescue our ChibokGirls.

“While awaiting further details, we take this opportunity to salute the work of our security services at the front lines – the commitment, resilience and tireless efforts of our members of the Multi-National Joint Task Force and the civilian JTF. We also thank the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss government and all negotiators involved in securing the release.

“Following this development, we trust that our government would continue to work to keep the safety, security, and well-being of the other girls a high priority. We further urge the international community to continue to support our government’s effort to rescue all other abducted Nigerians, so that parents, the Chibok community, the nation, and the world can finally put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

When contacted, the army spokesperson, Col Sani Usman, though was not categorical about the release said the federal government would release statement about it.

The release of the 21 girls comes as President Buhari began a three-day trip to Germany to discuss assistance for the rebuilding of the North eastern part of Nigeria ravaged by Boko Haram.

The names of those released were not immediately been obtained. However, it was learnt the Director General of DSS, Mallam Lawal Daura has briefed the presidency about the development.

In a short statement, Garba said, “the president welcomes the release of the girls but cautioned Nigerians to be mindful of the fact that more than 30, 000 fellow citizens were killed via terrorism.

The girls are expected to be handed over to the Vice President Yemi Osibajo after the girls must have rested as they were said to be tired and fagged out.