President Muhammadu Buhari has provided more details into how 82 Chibok girls were released saying his government swapped the 82 Chibok girls for Boko Haram “suspects’’.
The rescued 82 girls were part of the 276 girls abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents at the Government Secondary School in Chibok town, Borno State on April 14, 2014.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu. Although he did not provide the number or names of the Boko Haram suspects swapped for the girls, Mallam Shehu said the President was kept abreast of every negotiation and operation that led to the girls’ release.
“President Muhammadu Buhari expresses his deep gratitude to all who played a part in ensuring the success of this operation, as follows: Security agencies, the military, the Government of Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and local and international NGOs,” he said.
The statement said President Buhari was committed to ensuring the safe return of the Chibok girls, and all other Boko Haram captives. President Buhari was received the girls at the Presidential Villa. Before then, the girls had been received at the airport by Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.
Arewa Hails Buhari For Rescuing Girls
The Arewa Consultative Forum on Sunday hailed the efforts of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Military over the 82 Chibok girls released by the Boko Haram sect on Saturday.
The 82 Chibok girls were reportedly exchanged with Boko Haram Commanders on Saturday after a long negotiation said to have been made possible by the government of Switzerland, Red Cross, local and international NGOs.
National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Muhammadu Ibrahim, said the efforts of the government, particularly the Nigerian military in successfully effecting the release of the girls, were quite “commendable.”
The Northern body, also applauded the patience, resilience of the parents of the kidnapped Chibok girls during the three agonising years of the incident.
The statement read, “ACF commends the efforts of the Federal government, the security agencies and other international organisations in securing the release of 82 Chibok girls who were kidnapped and have been in the custody of the Boko Haram terrorists for over 3 years.
“The period of negotiations for their release has been painstaking and traumatic not only to the Government but the parents and Nigerians. However, the patience and prayers of Nigerians have yielded some positive results.
“ACF therefore urges the Government not to relent until all the girls in captivity are secured and reunited with their families.”
