Tag: chibok girls

  • Photos: Buhari receives released Chibok girls

    Photos: Buhari receives released Chibok girls

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday received the 82 freed Chibok girls behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

  • Full names of the freed 82 Chibok girls

    Full names of the freed 82 Chibok girls

    Below is a list containing the full names of the 82 Chibok girls who were received on Sunday by president Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.

    1. Kwatah simon

    2. Grace Dauda

    3. Junmai Paul

    4. Tabita Pogo

    5. Yanke Shetima

    6. Junmai Miutah

    7. Juliana Yakubu

    8. Mary Yakubu

    9. Ruth Kolo

    10. Mairawa Yahaya

    11. Rachael Nkeke

    12. Fibi Haruna

    13. Asaba Manu

    14. Esther Usman

    15. Filo Dauda

    16. Awa Abga

    17. Lydia Joshua

    18. Naomi Bitrus

    19. Martha James

    20. Falmata Musa

    21. Aisha Ezekiel

    22. Awa Yerima

    23. Mwada Baba

    24. Hannatu Ishaku

    25. Mwa Daniel

    26. Rifhatu Soloman 27. Maryanu Yakubu

    28. Rebecca Joseph

    29. Laid Audu

    30. Amina Pogu

    31. Sarah Nkeki

    32. Esther Josiiuwa

    33. Saraya Yanga

    34. Ruth Amos

    35. Hauwa Musa

    36. Hauwa Ishaya

    37. Glory Aji

    38. Mary Ali

    39. Rahilla Bitrus

    40. Luggwa Mutah

    41. Lataba Maman

    42. Lydia Habila

    43. Deborah Peter

    44. Naomi Yaga

    45. Kwazigu Haman

    46. Lugguwa Samuel

    47. Maryamu Lawan

    48. Tobita Hellapa (Maryam Lawal)

    49. Ruth Ishaku

    50. Maryamu Musa

    51. Margret Yama

    52. Kawa Luka

    53. Solomi Titus

    54. Naomi Yahona

    55. Maimuna Usman

    56. Grace Paul

    57. Hawa Ntakai

    58. Yagana Joshua

    59. Comfort Bulus

    60. Ramatu Yaga

    61. Rhoda Peter

    62. Naomi Luka

    63. Naomi Adamu

    64. Liatu Habila

    65. Victoria William

    66. Ladi Ibrahim

    67. Christiana Ali

    68. Hanatu Stephen

    69. Patina Tabji

    70. Martha James

    71. Tabita Sila

    72. Yana Bukar

    73. Abigie Bukar

    74. Hadiza Yakubu

    75. Naomi Zakariya

    76. Maryamu Wari

    77. Amina Bulama

    78. Asabe Lawan

    79. Mary Dauda

    80. Maryamu Balama

    81. Naomi Philemon

    82. Saratu Ayuba

  • Exchanging Chibok girls for terrorists not the right approach – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party National Caretaker Committee (PDP-NCC) has described the release of the 82 Chibok girls held captive by Boko Haram in the past three years as a welcome development.

    In a press release issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the party said the ‘detention’ of the girls had brought untold pain not only to the families of the girls but the entire Nigerian citizenry.

    It however condemned the manner in which freedom for the girls was procured by government. “The release of 82 chibok girls is a welcome development.

    The capture and detention of these girls by the Boko Haram terrorists in the last three years had brought extreme pain and suffering not only to their families but to the people of this country and men and women of goodwill all over the world.

    What is however of great concern is the price paid to secure the release of the girls. According to reports , the girls were released in exchange for the release of suspected Boko Haram terrorists. If that is the case we say it’s a heavy price to pay and an unusual one at that,” the statement reads.

    The party further gave reasons why exchanging innocent girls for a bunch of criminals was a grave error on the part of government.

    “While we welcome the release of the girls, we do not think that exchanging innocent girls for hardened criminals like the terrorists is the right approach for the following reasons:

    “The suspected terrorists by the release have escaped justice. And all the effort made by security agencies to bring them to book has come to nothing. The release of the terrorists is a setback for the war on insurgency.

    Their release is tantamount to releasing them to resume their war against society. Many of them could find their ways back to the terrorists camps from where they could unleash terror against the country.

    Others who are allowed to roam freely in society could become veritable recruiting agents and purveyors of suicide bombing and urban terrorism.

    The Boko Haram terrorists are emboldened to continue with their tactics of kidnapping innocent people with the belief that they can always use it to blackmail the government to release their members and to extract other concessions.

    The piece meal release of the girls means the terrorists want to extract more concessions from the government which in the end can only prolong the insurgency.

    The release of the girls will increase the agony and high expectancy of the remaining girls still in custody of the terrorists and their families who will be wondering why they have not been so lucky. It therefore would have been better to ensure the release of all the girls at once.

    The negotiations are in clear violation and indeed a direct assault on the generally accepted international principle never to negotiate with terrorists. This international principle is sound and logical because negotiation with the terrorists only fuels their urge to continue with their heinous crimes,” the party noted.

     

  • Dogara lauds Buhari over release of 82 Chibok Girls

    Dogara lauds Buhari over release of 82 Chibok Girls

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has commended President Buhari for his continued dedication to the safe return of the abducted Chibok Girls.

    This is coming in the wake of the release of 82 schoolgirls who were abducted, along with others, by Boko Haram terrorists in April 2014.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, Dogara described the development as “delightful and heartening”, and commended the efforts of the security agencies and all others who were involved in the negotiation process.

    “Last month, the House of Representatives adopted a motion urging the Executive to expedite negotiation for the release of the schoolgirls who remain in captivity, and the news of the release of 82 Chibok girls is delightful, to say the least.”

    “President Buhari has further proven that he is a man of his words, as he could have used the initial inaction by the previous administration as an excuse to not take action, but he didn’t. It has been said in many quarters that true leadership is defined not by apportioning blame, but by solving challenges irrespective of their genesis, and the President deserves all commendation for this feat.”

    “It is extremely gladdening that these 82 girls will finally be reunited with their families; it is my ardent hope that they get the required medical attention, and that the other girls – and all others – who remain in captivity are released soon.”

  • Saraki Hails Buhari, Security Forces on Release of 82 Chibok Girls

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, security operatives, and the international Red Cross on the release of 82 of the Chibok schoolgirls, that were part of the group abducted by Boko Haram in 2014.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki expressed delight at the development, saying that the prayers and well-wishes of Nigerians and the global community had led to the return of “more of our daughters.”

    “As a father, I can’t help but feel delighted and excited at the release of the 82 schoolgirls. When they were taken from us, the whole world joined in demanding for their return — now, it is a testament to the tenacity and commitment of the Federal Government, led by Mr. President, that they are back with us, and will soon be reunited with their families,” the Senate President said.
    “Last year, we managed to secure the release of 20 girls. Today, 82. By this feat, those that are still out there should be rest assured that Nigeria will not forget them, and this government will continue to do everything within its power to bring them back home,” Saraki said, “Moving forward, the Security Forces must be commended. However, the work is not yet done, too many families are still anxious today. Too many of our daughters have not returned.”
    The Senate President reassured that the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly, would continue to do everything within its power to augment the efforts of the executive and our international partners in securing the release of more girls and ending the Book Haram menace once and for all.
    “My colleagues and I in the 8th Senate will continue to remain committed to the cause of bringing back all our girls, ending the Boko Haram insurgency and ensuring the rehabilitation of the devastated North East zone,” he said, “It is clear that we still have a lot to do. But God-willing, we will be up for the challenge.”

  • Buhari to receive 82 freed Chibok girls today – Presidency

    President Muhammadu Buhari would receive another set of 82 Chibok girls today.

    The girls were freed on Saturday in exchange with some Boko Haram members held by the federal government.

    A statement by the presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu last night confirmed the release of the girls. It will be recalled that over 200 school of the girls were abducted by Boko Haram terrorist sect on April 14, 2014.

    Negotiations with the terrorist group last year had led to the rescue of over 20 of the girls.

    The statment last night stated: “The President is pleased announce that negotiations to release more of the Chibok Girls have born fruit with the release of 82 more Girls today.

    “After months of patient negotiations, our security agencies have taken back these abducted girls in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities.

    “The Girls are due tomorrow in Abuja to be received by the President. “The President expressed his deep gratitude to security agencies, the military, the government of Switzerland, the Red Cross, local and international NGOs for the success of this operation.

    “It may be recalled that when the first batch of 21 Girls were released in October last year,the President directed the security agencies to continue in earnest until all the Chibok Girls have been released and reunited with their families.

    “The President has been receiving full reports from the Director-General of the State Security Services at each stage.”

  • It took US 10yrs to find Osama, hunt for Chibok girls might last same – Minister

    The Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Munir Dan-Ali,has said just as it took the United States close to about 10 years to find and finally kill world renowned terrorist, Osama Bin Ladin, finding the remaining 195 Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram from their school in 2014 might also take longer years.

    Dan-Ali said this in an interview he granted the Hausa Service of the Voice of America monitored in Abuja on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the Boko Haram terrorists abducted 276 school girls from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014.

    However, while about 81 of the girls have been freed, 195 of them are still in the terrorist den.

    In a strategic way of pressing home their demands for the release of the remaining girls, the concerned parents have vowed to continue marching daily to the Presidential Villa,Abuja, until they are granted audience by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The parents, who were again refused access to the State House on Tuesday, claimed they had become the president’s enemies after voting him into power.

    Dan-Ali said the military had been pushing hard into areas where remnants of Boko Haram fighters are hiding within Sambisa forest, a vast area covering parts of three states in the North-East.

    He was quoted as saying it took America a long time before it found Osama Bin Laden who was the mastermind of the September 11, 2001 terrorists’ attacks in the United States.

    Dan-Ali was quoted as saying, “It took America eight up to 10 years before it found Osama Bin Laden.”

    Observers are of the view that, in spite of the many military victories over the terrorists, the inability to locate and free the remaining girls remains a sore point.

    The kidnapped girls’ parents led by Rev. Enoch Mark, whose two daughters are among the missing ones, complained about the Presidency’s approach to the issue.

    He said, “We are very sorry for giving Mr. President our votes. We voted Mr. President hoping he would rescue our daughters but we have become his enemies.

    Why can’t the president communicate with us, are we not Nigerians? Is that good for a president; a leader, to show such attitude. We believe the president is against the Chibok Community.”

    Citing the plane crash incident in Malaysia, the cleric said the government of the Asian country consistently maintained links with the families of the victims during the tragedy and wondered why the Federal Government failed to empathise with the parents of the missing girls.

    Mark questioned the capability of the government to rescue the girls, claiming that it was not involved in the rescue of the girls that were found.

    If our military are not capable of rescuing our children, that means any country can come in, fight and defeat Nigeria. It is sad that our president overlooked the military intelligence and told us he doesn’t know the whereabouts of our girls, it is very shameful,” he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) convener, Oby Ezekwesili also slammed the Federal Government over its refusal to find the remaining 195 girls maintaining that the war against insurgency is far from over until the remaining girls are safely delivered to their families.

  • Intensify efforts at releasing other Chibok girls, Dogara charges Buhari, security agencies

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has asked the Executive not to give in but rather intensify rescue efforts for the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja on Friday, to mark three years of abduction of the girls from Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno State, the Speaker stated that his prayers are with the parents and relations of the girls and urged Nigerians not to relent in praying for their safe return.

    You would recall that the House, on Tuesday, adopted yet another motion calling on the Executive to rescue our daughters who remain in captivity; this is because no matter how long ago the abduction occurred, as parents, we feel duty-bound to never let the campaign for their release fade out.”

    The fate that has befallen our daughters is a symptom of the many challenges that the girl-child faces not only on the African continent, but around the world, and it is high time that we, as leaders, played our respective roles in protecting the girl-child and their right to education.”

    While we commend the Military and Security agencies for their gallantry in stemming the North-East imbroglio and for rescuing thousands of captives from the dreaded Boko Haram sect, we must also, once more, reiterate the need for the remaining Chibok Girls to be freed from captivity and reunited with their families.

    The House will not relent in collaborative efforts in providing any form of support to the Executive and particularly the security agencies in order to achieve this.”

    This somber moment also brings thoughts of other students who fell victim to Boko Haram to mind, such as the Buni Yadi boys who were murdered in the most gruesome manner for doing nothing but seeking education. Today, we pray that God grants all affected parents and families succour, as we keep hope alive for the return of our girls as well as other citizens still in captivity.”

     

     

  • FG to re-open Chibok Girls’ school in September

    FG to re-open Chibok Girls’ school in September

    After three years of closure following the abduction of 276 school girls by the deadly Boko Haram sect, the Federal Government has revealed its plan to reopen the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok for the 2017/2018 academic session which commences in September.

    Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative, Mr. Tijjani Tumsah, stated this on Thursday.

    Tumsah said all necessary security measures, were being taken to avert a recurrence of the April 2014 incident.

    We intend to finish with the school before next session and make it functional for educational activities to pick up.

    We have varieties of programmes, including psycho-social and counselling programmes for women and girls and community engagements.

    In terms of the structure itself, the school has to be fortified in terms of early warning systems to protect the girls.

    A whole lot of issues that have been planned to ensure the safety and comfort of the students of the school judging by the previous unfortunate incident,” he said.

     

  • FG set to re-open Chibok Girls School

    FG set to re-open Chibok Girls School

    The Federal Government has revealed its plan to reopen the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok where over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative, Mr. Tijjani Tumsah, stated this on Thursday.

    He said there are plans to re-open the school in time for the 2017/2018 session.
    Tumsah also promised that all necessary security measures, were being taken to avert a recurrence of the April 2014 incident.

    “We intend to finish with the school before next session and make it functional for educational activities to pick up.

    “We have varieties of programmes, including psycho-social and counselling programmes for women and girls and community engagements.
    “In terms of the structure itself, the school has to be fortified in terms of early warning systems to protect the girls.

    “A whole lot of issues that have been planned to ensure the safety and comfort of the students of the school judging by the previous unfortunate incident,” he said.