Nigeria’s president-elect, General Mohammadu Buhari, has
stated that he does not know the whereabouts of the Chibok girls and
cannot guarantee that his government when sworn-in will be able to
rescue them.
“As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them,” he said in a statement.
It
will be recalled that today marked the...
first year since the 276 girls
were kidnapped by the members of Boko Haram from their school in Chibok,
Borno state.
The
president-elect in a statement said that from the first day of his
administration, Boko Haram would be met with the collective will of the
Nigerian people.
The statement read thus: “Today we remember the kidnapping of 276 girls from a school in Chibok one year ago. This crime has rightly caused outrage both in Nigeria and across the world.
“Today
is a time to reflect on the pain and suffering of the victims, their
friends and families. Our thoughts and prayers, and that of the whole
Nigerian Nation, are with you today.
“I
want to assure all of them, and particularly the parents, that when my
new Administration takes office at the end of May, we will do everything
we can to defeat Boko Haram. We will act differently from the
Government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to
respond accordingly.
“This new approach must also begin
with honesty. We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued. Their
whereabouts remain unknown. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that
we can find them.
But I say to every parent, family member and
friend of the children that my Government will do everything in its
power to bring them home.
“What I can pledge, with
absolute certainty, is that starting on the first day of my
Administration Boko Haram will know the strength of our collective will
and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring back peace and
normalcy to all the affected areas.
“Boko Haram” means
“Western Education is Sinful”. When they are defeated militarily, as
they will be, we will ensure our citizens in the affected areas have
improved educational opportunities as a direct counterbalance to Boko
Haram’s twisted ideology. In particular we will educate ever more young
girls ensuring they are empowered as citizens of Nigeria.
“Let
us use this anniversary to remind each other that the attack on Chibok
was an attack on the dreams and aspirations of our young people.

No comments:
Post a Comment