One year anniversary: We will rescue chibok girls, bring them home if… – Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – Nigeria’s President-Elect, General Mohammadu Buhari has assured parents of the over 200 missing chibok girls that his government would rescue and bring back him their children. He however said that the rescue mission was dependent on whether the girls were not still alive as he does not have the information for now. IVORY COAST, Abidjan : A woman holds a sign to call for the release of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants on May 19, 2014 during a sit-in organised by Human Rights organisations in Abidjan. The “#bringbackourgirls” slogan has become a huge global phenomenon following the abductions Nigerian girls by Boko Harm AFP PHOTO Buhari who gave this assurance to mark the first anniversary of the sad development also promised to educate the girls as against the creed of Boko Haram that “western education is evil”. 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 from Daura, Katsina State from his 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. “We stand united in our pledge to resist terror in Nigeria– not just through military means but also through the power of opportunity and the hope of a better future for all”.