By Gbenga Akingbule
As families and concerned persons gather to mark the abduction of 276 Chibok Schoolgirls kidnapped on April 14th, 10 years ago, the Borno State Government, on Saturday, stated clearly that it did not in any way or form interfer in the re-marrying of some freed Chibok girls.
“We returned them to their parents and some of them got married in Chibok. None of the freed Chibok girls has ever approached me to tell me she’s getting married. We only got to hear some of them got married when they went to Chibok .” Hon Gambo said.
Also, the Commissioner of Information and Internal Security Prof Usman Tar revealed that special prayers for the remaining Chibok girls in captivity will be topmost on the activity to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of their abduction.
Prof Tar maintained that the government can not roll out its drums to celebrate until all the abducted schoolgirls are released from captivity.
” Ten years ago, the Boko Haram insurgents criminally abducted 276 innocent girls at their hotels at Government Girls Secondary School Chibok. This painful date is engrained in our collective memory and we shall not rest on our oars until the last of our innocent girls are back home with their families. On this auspicious occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the abduction of Chibok Girls, the Borno State Government identifies and sympathises with all those who are affected by abduction.
” The Government wishes to inform the public that we shall continue to struggle to salvage our abducted girls on behalf of the parents and relatives of the Chibok girls who are still in captivity. The Borno State Government is committed to rescuing and reuniting the remaining Chibok girls and reuniting them with their families. We understand the pain and anguish that the families of those still in captivity are going through, this is our sorrow.
“We also wish to use this occasion to take stock of the rescued girls and provide an update on how the girls are coming to terms with adjusting to normal life after captivity, and efforts of the Borno State Government to sustain the momentum on the rescue of the remaining girls. So far, out of the 276 abducted Chibok Girls,187 have been rescued and reunited with their families.
“Most of the rescued girls have, over the years, been enrolled in different schools or graduated under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs. A number of the girls have been enrolled into local and foreign scholarships or empowerment programmes. Many have since been reunited with their immediate families and are continuing to receive psychosocial support to reconcile them with normal life.
“Furthermore, 16 recently rescued girls are being rehabilitated by the Borno State Government and attending the 2nd Chance School where they learn skills in various vocations that will provide them with sustainable livelihoods, while their kids are also placed in nursery schools. Four rescued girls have voluntarily decided to return to their parents.
“We remain hopeful and determined that, with the combined efforts of our security forces, intelligence agencies, and community support, all abducted persons will be safely returned,” Prof Tar said.
