Positive reactions yesterday trailed the release of the kidnapped students of the Government Girls’ Science and Technical Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe State.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) charged the Federal Government to concentrate on the search and rescue of the Chibok girls.
The group stated that all efforts should be geared towards making sure that this type of incident did not happen again.
The statement, signed by Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, said:
“We equally call on the military and other security agencies to sustain this synergy and fast track the search and rescue of the remaining Chibok girls kidnapped four years ago that are still in captivity.
“ACF wishes to appeal to the intelligence community and the security agencies to do everything humanly possible to avoid a repeat of such ugly incidences.”
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, described the release of 104 of the 110 girls as answered prayers of millions of Nigerians.
“The release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls is tremendous news for the country. Our prayers have been answered.
“I commend President Buhari, our security forces and the Yobe State Government for their effort in bringing back our girls. However, we cannot stop here. We must not rest until all the Dapchi girls, and the remaining Chibok girls are back home with their families,” Saraki said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, called for proactive steps to be taken to forestall a reoccurrence of the incident by security agencies.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) said that the release of the schoolgirls showed the sincerity of the President in the fight against insecurity.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement, said: “The prompt release of the Dapchi schoolgirls is another solid demonstration of the political will of the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration to secure the lives of all Nigerians.
“With this prompt release of the Dapchi girls, the APC government has demonstrated how government should respond to such situations. If the immediate-past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration had responded with the similar alacrity, the Chibok schoolgirls would have been released or rescued.”
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged the government to “prioritise the well-being of the released Dapchi girls by immediately providing them with adequate medical and mental health services. These include post-rape care and psychosocial support for those who have survived abduction by the Boko Haram terrorist group.”
Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku welcomed the release of the girls.
Atiku said he was gladdened by the return of the girls, adding that some families who had been heartbroken would now have their tears wiped.
He, however, said that the grief of parents whose daughters did not return would probably take on a new and more tormenting dimension as they continue to wait and pray for their safe return.
Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu applauded President Buhari for his relentless fight against insurgency.
Speaking in Frankfurt, Germany with a cross section of Nigerians, Kalu said:
“The release of the abducted schoolgirls in Dapchi is a further testament to the good works of President Buhari.
“Before the present administration, Boko Haram jeopardized peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
“Upon assumption of office, President Buhari directed military chiefs to relocate to North-East to curb insurgency.
“The security initiatives adopted by the current administration has recorded tremendous success and have metamorphosed into peace and unity across the country.”
Also speaking, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, congratulated parents of the released girls and sympathized with those of the five of the girls that reportedly died.
Comments
