FG holds close door meeting with Chibok girls’ parents

The Federal Government on Thursday had a closed door meeting with parents and relatives of abducted Chibok schoolgirls, where it tabled plans to get the girls released from Boko Haram captivity.

Over 200 girls were abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok, on April 14, 2014 by the fundamentalist group, Boko Haram.



The meeting which reportedly took place in Maiduguri, the state capital, was said to be at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan.

A statement by Wakil’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, quoted the minister as briefing the traumatised parents of the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to rescue their children and wards alive.

He said the minister told his audience what the government is putting in place to rescue the girls, resettle internally displaced persons and reclaiming more territories from the insurgents.

“Mr. President is pursuing multi-faceted strategies which address the pains, anger and frustrations of victims.

“Our President directed me to tell you that his government is committed to doing everything possible for the safe return of your daughters.

“I am here to convey the sympathy of Mr. President and the entire Federal cabinet to you the parents and families as well as all other victims.

“As you are all aware, our military is having the upper hand in this sacred war. We believe by the grace of God that your children will return safely,” the statement quoted the minister as saying.

While commending them for attending the meeting, Wakil also lauded them for not aligning with those who he said had decided to politicise the girls’ abduction.

“I assure you that not only will the rescue operations be successful, the other three goals of reclaiming occupied territories, resettlement of IDPs and rebuilding of communities, will be pursued to a logical conclusion. This is a personal pledge from Mr. President which the entire administration is committed to,” the minister added.

The statement also quoted the spokesperson for the parents and families of the girls, Mrs. Pindar Dauda, as thanking Jonathan for his concern and sympathy, while praying for the success of the ongoing military operations.