Presidency on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to securing the release of the missing students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, saying rescue efforts is a work in progress.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, reassured parents and all concerned citizens that the safe return of the students “remain constantly on the minds of government as they are always on the minds of their parents.”
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Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents had on April 14, 2014 stormed the school facilities and whisked away over 276 schoolgirls, an incident that drew widespread condemnation across the world.
Although most of the 276 girls escaped or were later released, more than 112 girls are still missing.
Yesterday (April 14) marked the seventh anniversary of that tragic incident, with calls being renewed for the Federal Government to step up its efforts in facilitating the return of the schoolgirls.
However, the presidential spokesman called on Nigerians to continue to remember the nation’s military in their prayers.
Read Also: Borno: WAEC Conducts Exams In Chibok 6 Years After Abduction Of Schoolgirls (Photos)
He said;
No one is giving up hope here. Efforts to secure their release through various channels and activities of the security and intelligence agencies remain on course.
The recent decisive push by the military against the terrorists gives hope that a breakthrough is possible and could happen anytime soon.
The Presidency asks for support, understanding and prayers for the military as they discharge their historic mandate to quickly finish off the insurgency war and free all citizens held hostage.
Read Also: Girls: 20 Parents Who Were Awaiting Children’s Return Now Dead, Says BBOG
Meanwhile, Bring Back Our Girls group has said that over 20 parents of abducted Chibok girls have died while awaiting the return of their children.
One of the prominent team members of BBOG, Allen Manasseh, made this known while appearing on Arise TV on Wednesday.
He accused the government of doing the minimum to address the concerns of the parents, demanding that the matter be moved to the office of the vice-president.
Manasseh said some of the parents died of renal failure, stressing;
The level of engagement with the parents should change; there’s no date on the issue of rescue. We have over 20 parents that died already from blood pressure-related complications; renal failure as a result of blood pressure. 20 plus parents died, nothing happened.
The level of engagement to the Chibok parents is nothing to write home about. The Chibok girls issue was domiciled in the ministry of women affairs. What authority or administrative function does the minister of women affairs have to do with security, rescue, or anything about the Chibok girls. The ministry can support the Chibok parents in terms of welfare but this issue is more critical and it should be domiciled in at least the office of vice-president. That’s what we asked for.
