President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that there will be no rest for him, his ministers and security chiefs until the last Dapchi and Chibok schoolgirls are released.
Speaking during an official visit to Yobe state, where 110 Dapchi schoolgirls were abducted by Islamist sect, Boko Haram, Buhari stressed that like all citizens, the girls must enjoy freedom.
“There will be no rest till the last girl, whether from Chibok and Dapchi, is released. The girls, like all our citizens, must enjoy unhindered freedom and pursue their legitimate aspirations,” he said.
Buhari promised parents of the abducted students that he has ordered a 24 hour brief to him by security agencies on its successes or challenges.
“The Dapchi and Chibok students are our girls and must enjoy our protection,” he stressed.
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“They must live to achieve their individual ambitions, to be great women of tomorrow.
“It is our duty to protect them. We are determined to restore peace to all part of the country – from the West to the East; North to the South
“While calling for calm, I implore affected parents and families to restrain from making statements that may jeopardize the success of the rescue mission.
Buhari condoled the government of Yobe and the families whose daughters have been kidnapped. “I am here in Yobe State today, to express my sincere sympathies with the parents, families, the Government and the entire people of Yobe State whose daughters were callously abducted by unrepentant terrorists.
“On 19th February, 2018, we woke up to the painful news of the abduction of One Hundred and Ten (110) students of Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi.
“Since this ugly incident happened, I have not left any stone unturned in making sure that the girls are rescued.
“I have ordered the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take direct charge and brief me on a daily basis on the efforts to bring back the girls.
“I have ordered the re-strengthening of a Joint Operational Base involving relevant agencies and Services to coordinate the rescue mission.
“Consequently, the Service Commanders have not only established a unified Command Centre in Maiduguri, the Military has raised several rescue teams to comb the forests in the North East Theatre of Operation.
“In addition, the Nigerian Airforce has maintained aerial surveillance of the area.
“The Federal Government had earlier sent a delegation of senior officials to visit the Governor and the parents of the girls to re-assure them of the measures the government is taking as well as have an on-the-spot-assessment of the incident.
“Similarly, the Federal Government has set up a 12-member Committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the students.
“The membership of the Committee was drawn from among security agencies and local residents.
“It is my hope that any agency, person or group found to have been negligent or culpable in the abduction of the girls will be punished in accordance with the law.
He urged that the matter should not be politicized. “We are aware of orchestrations by some evil elements to take advantage of the development to score cheap political points.
“I call on law abiding citizens to shun activities and statements that may cause a breakdown of law and order.
“The Government, under my watch, will continue to maintain normalcy and ensure that incidents of this nature are stopped. Be assured that measures are being put in place to achieve these objectives,” he said.
