Nigerian Govt has not given up on rescue of Chibok girls – Farouq

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has reassured the parents of the Chibok girls still in captivity, that the government is determined to ensure their safe return.

In a statement, on Wednesday, by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, disclosed that Farouq made the comment while recalling the sad incident of the kidnapping of hundreds of girls from Chibok Local Government Area in Borno State.

The statement read, “As the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, it grieves me to have to mark this 7th anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls.

“Our government came into power with a public mandate to control the insurgency in the north east that led to the Chibok girls’ abduction and to fight the corruption that hampered the rescue effort.

“We have achieved a lot, but significant work remains for all levels of government. Half of the Chibok girls have been rescued and reunited with their families and have resumed their education. We will continue working to bring back those left behind.”

Recollect that on April 14, 2014, terrorists abducted 276 girls at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state.

Farouq expressed deep sorrow over the incident and prayed that the remaining abducted Chibok girls will be reunited with their families soon.

It added, “I cannot speak openly about the security strategies and measures, but I can assure you that government holds the safety and security of its citizens as a sacred duty. We are fighting a regional tide of criminality and violent extremism in partnership with others.

“Let me assure the parents of the Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu and other abductees, that this government has not forgotten you. We have heard your demands and the responsible ministries and agencies will respond on behalf of the government.

“All our children deserve an education. Our country needs them to be educated for our development.  No one should have to choose between school and safety. We will employ all our efforts to give every Nigerian child the opportunity to rise out of poverty and attain their ambitions through education.”