Photo: Borno delegation visits released Chibok girls in Abuja, urge quick return of girls to their parents

A delegation from Borno, led by wife of the state Governor, Hajiya Nana Shettima, on Monday, October 24th, visited the 21 Chibok schoolgirls who were recently from Boko Haram captivity.

Speaking during the visit in Abuja, Hajiya Nana Shettima said the release of 21 abducted Chibok schoolgirls made her the happiest woman on earth, commending President Muhammad Buhari and other parties, whose roles led to the release.

"We are here to express our gratitude to God Almighty for sparing your lives up to this moment. You have tasted the bitter experience in life, but I can assure you that Government will do everything possible to turn your fortunes for the better. I and my husband Governor Kashim Shettima are the happiest people. I can recall our bitter experience after the abduction took place at your school in Chibok."

In his remarks, the Secretary of Borno Elders Forum, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio who was part of the delegation, urged the security agencies to quickly allow the released girls to reunite with their parents.

Speaking on behalf of the girls, Miss Rubecca Mallum thanked Mrs. Shettima and other members of the delegation for the visit.

Continue Reading

Buhari will not rest on his oars until all Chibok girls are released – Tinubu

APC National party leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, in a statement yesterday, said that President Buhari will not rest until all the Chibok girls in captivity are freed and completely returned to their families.

He also expressed joy over the evidence that shows that progress is being made by the government in reconnected the girls not just with their families but also their dreams and aspirations.

“I congratulate the families of these young ladies who have endured so much anxiety and pain on account of this horrendous experience. I am also grateful that these budding young stars now have the opportunity to again pursue their dreams and aspirations.

“I know there is road to recovery and readjustment ahead, but I am confident that the support of their families, our communities,and the assistance of our many collaborators at home, and internationally provide the tools required for this. 

 
“I also congratulate and thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his steadfastness and dogged effort in ensuring the release of these girls. I salute our gallant men and women in uniform who continue to make sacrifices on our behalf and have remained focused in the hot pursuit of the terrorists.

 “I commend all Federal Government agencies- the DSS, the NIA- and indeed our lawmakers and our other partners who remained dogged and worked assiduously to secure this release. “It is a great day for our nation and humanity when as shown there, we demonstrate that every life is vital and must be fought for, no matter what it takes. 

I know that the joy of this outcome will inspire and encourage the government and all concerned to do everything within human possibility to secure the release of our other daughters who are still in captivity. “The President, I am assured, will not rest on his oars until all the girls in captivity are freed and returned to their families. 

Security and ending the Boko Haram insurgency remains atop the agenda of the APC-led government and I am happy that the evidence is there to see that progress is being made on this front,” he said.

Continue Reading

Boko Haram receives millions of dollars to free 21 Chibok schoolgirls

A report has emerged that the Swiss government paid millions of dollars on behalf of the Nigerian government to Boko Haram to facilitate the release of the 21 Chibok schoolgirls.

Twenty-one Chibok schoolgirls out of over 200 abducted by Boko Haram were released Thursday morning to Nigeria’s security officials near Sambisa forest by the insurgents in a negotiated deal involving the Nigerian government, Boko Haram and the Swiss government.

The Nigerian government on Thursday denied that the released Chibok girls were swapped with detained Boko Haram terrorists. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed clarified at different fora that there was no swapping deal with the insurgents.

Conflicting reports emerging about whether the first negotiated release of the 21 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria in 2014 involved a ransom payment, a prisoner swap for Islamic extremist commanders or both linger.

A Nigerian hostage negotiator who was not involved in the schoolgirls’ release tells The Associated Press a “handsome ransom” in the millions of dollars was paid by Switzerland’s government on behalf of the Nigerian authorities.

Swiss officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment after confirming that they played a neutral, humanitarian role in the operation.

Continue Reading

Switzerland, Red Cross, Borno lawyer negotiated release of Chibok girls

The government of Switzerland, the Red Cross and a Borno State-based lawyer helped to negotiate the release of the 21 Chibok girls, it has been gathered. The Swiss government on Thursday said its involvement in the deal to swap Boko Haram terrorists for the release of the 21 Chibok girls was at the instance of the Federal Government.

According to the United Kingdom’s International Business Times, Switzerland conducted the negotiations, which included the International Red Cross Committee between Nigeria and the terrorists leading to the release of the girls.

“At the request of the Nigerian government, Switzerland facilitated contacts between representatives of the Nigerian government and intermediaries of Boko Haram on the release of the Chibok girls,” a spokesman for the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pierre-Alain Eltschinger, told IBTimes.

“Switzerland’s engagement in this operation was guided by the principles of neutrality and non-interference. The role that the Nigerian government has asked Switzerland to play is fulfilled.

“Switzerland welcomes the release of 21 Chibok Girls and calls for the liberation of all the remaining girls as soon as possible.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross also confirmed its participation in the negotiation to release the girls.

“Today we transferred 21 of the Chibok girls and handed them to the Nigerian government authorities, as a neutral intermediary.

“We cannot provide any further comment at this stage in the best interest of the girls concerned,” the ICRC stated on Thursday on its Twitter handle.

-Punch

Continue Reading

Video: 21 Chibok Girls release was a show of faith -- Femi Adesina

The Presidential spokeperson Femi Adeshina, this morning spoke with ChannelsTV, and he said the released of the Chibok Girls was a show of faith. Watch the video below....

Continue Reading