FG Speak On Rescuing Remaining Chibok, Dapchi Schoolgirls

President Muhammadu Buhari led government has again assured Nigerians that it will rescue the remaining schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram from Chibok and Dapchi.

This is coming following the release of 344 schoolboys from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, Naija News understands.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, December 18, in Abuja, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, boasted that the incumbent administration will ensure the girls are rescued and reunited with their parents soon.

Naija News recalls that Boko Haram terrorists had in 2014 abducted 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State; out of which 112 still remain with them after the Buhari’s government had rescued over 100 of them.

Also in February 2018, the terrorist group again abducted 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State.

However, Mohammed while reacting to the successful return of the Kankara schoolboys, said the government will not relent until those remaining with the dreaded group are rescued and reunited with their loved ones.

The Minister applauded the Nigerian military for their swift response and effort towards the rescue of the Kankara schoolboys. Also, Mohammed the Katsina and Zamfara state governments for cooperating with security agents to the quick rescue.

The minister again condemned the attack on Nigerian schools by the terrorists, describing the act as totally unacceptable, adding that it is forbidden that Nigerian children go to school daily in fear.

He said: “Let me be clear: What happened in Kankara – and in Chibok and Dapchi before it – is totally unacceptable. Our children should not have to go to school in trepidation. The Federal Government is doing everything possible to secure all our schools, and indeed all Nigerians. And we will not relent until all Nigerians can go to bed at night with their two eyes closed.

“The release of these school boys is a testament to the importance that this Administration attaches to the security and safety of all Nigerians. There is no government in the world that will not face the challenges of security at one time or another. No government in the world is immune to terrorist attacks. What stands any government out is the way and manner it responds to such challenges.

The Minister’s statement reads further: “For example, school shooting has been a recurring challenge in the United States. Between 2010 and 2020, almost 200 school children were killed and many more injured in various school shooting incidents.

Relating the spate of terrorist attacks in developed countries with that of Nigeria, Mohammed noted that no nation no matter how powerful is immune to security challenges.

He said: “Needless to say that the world’s most powerful country suffered a tragic terrorist attack in September 2001 that claimed almost 3,000 lives. In France, between 2010 and 2020, 286 people were killed in various terrorist incidents. And in New Zealand, in March 2019, 49 people were killed in shootings at two mosques in ChristChurch, New Zealand.

“I have given these instances to support the fact that no nation, no matter how powerful, is immune to security challenges.

Recalling previous attacks in the country before the Kankara schoolboys’ abduction, the Minister said: “Back here in Nigeria, the abduction of the Kankara school boys marked the second of its kind under this Administration, coming after the unfortunate abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State, in February 2018. Just like the good news from Kankara, all but one of the kidnapped schoolgirls in Dapchi were rescued unharmed. And in 2014, 276 schoolgirls were abducted by terrorists in Chibok, Borno State; out of which 112 remain in captivity after this Administration rescued over 100 of the school girls.

“Let me state here that the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will do everything possible to prevent a recurrence of these school abductions. But we also make bold to say that we have moved with speed and determination each time we have faced the challenge of school abductions, and the results attest to this. Each time this has happened, we have always accepted responsibility, rather than being in denial. And that has made all the difference in whether or not the abducted school children have been recovered. We will not relent until all those who remain missing in Chibok and Dapchi and reunited with their families.

“Irrespective of the security challenges that we, as a nation, maybe facing at this time, they are not insurmountable. We can only appeal to those who are quick to politicize the issue of security to desist from such. The reactions in certain quarters to the Kankara incident were shameful. Some Nigerians went as far as denigrating their government and country in the most uncouth and irresponsible manner.

“They simply threw decorum to the wind and allowed their emotions to take a better part of them. When disasters and tragedies strike, people come together. We hope the naysayers have learnt their lessons. And we hope those who have started trading and politicking with the hashtag BringBackOurBoys’ can now go home, as our boys have been brought back, even before their dubious campaign could take off,” the minister added.

In another news, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has alleged that the new SIM card registration and NIN linking policy will result in Coronavirus deaths in the country.

The group in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, December 18, stated that the new directive by the federal government through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, would cause “a catastrophic second wave of COVID-19” in the nation, Naija News reports.