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FG, abducted Chibok schoogirls’ parents meet in Maiduguri

By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
05 March 2015   |   1:01 pm
THE representatives of the Federal Government on Thursday held a closed door meeting in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital with parents and guardians of 200 Chibok abducted schoolgirls on April 14, 2014. The closed door meeting, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to Minister of State for Power, Mr. Olawale Rasheed, was to brief relations and relatives…

Chibok-school-gals

THE representatives of the Federal Government on Thursday held a closed door meeting in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital with parents and guardians of 200 Chibok abducted schoolgirls on April 14, 2014.

The closed door meeting, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to Minister of State for Power, Mr. Olawale Rasheed, was to brief relations and relatives of abducted Chibok girls on how far the Federal Government has gone in securing their release from captivity.

The statement reads in part: “Today’s (Thursday) meeting in Maiduguri centers on FG’s commitment to safe return of the girls, representative of President Goodluck Jonathan at the meeting was the Minister of State Power, Mohammed Wakil; while the families of the girls were led by Mr.Pindar Dauda. The youth leader of the Chibok Community was also in attendance with some elders of Chibok community.”

Wakil told parents at the meeting that the Federal Government under President Jonathan has devised comprehensive counter- insurgency strategies which have its central goals of reclaiming of occupied territories, the rescue of abducted persons, resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and the rehabilitation of insurgency ravaged communities.

Rasheed in the statement said: “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.”

The statement continued: “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.”

Wakil also commended the families for refusing to support the politicization of the regrettable abduction,” adding that; “Your presence here at this meeting today to listen to the message of Mr. President confirms your belief in the ongoing counter insurgency operations as a solution to our collective challenges.

“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 the President which the entire administration is committed to.”

Responding, the Spokesperson of parents and families, Mr. Pindar Dauda, thanked the President for his concern and sympathy; while praying for the success of the ongoing military operations in the North East sub-region.

Dauda who spoke in his native language 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.”

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