Jonathan sends emissary to Chibok girls’ parents

Jonathan sends emissary to Chibok girls’ parents

Minister of State, Power, Mr. Mohammed Wakil, on Thursday met behind closed
doors with some of the parents and relatives of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted
from their school in Chibok, Borno State last year.
The meeting which reportedly took place in Maiduguri, the state capital, was said
to be at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan.
A statement by Wakil’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, quoted the minister as
briefing the traumatised parents of the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government
to rescue their children and wards alive.
He said the minister told his audience what the government is putting in place to
rescue the girls, resettle internally displaced persons and reclaiming more
territories from the insurgents.
“Mr. President is pursuing multi-faceted strategies which address the pains, anger
and frustrations of victims.
“Our President directed me to tell you that his government is committed to doing
everything possible for the safe return of your daughters.
“I am here to convey the sympathy of Mr. President and the entire Federal
cabinet to you the parents and families as well as all other victims.
“As you are all aware, our military is having the upper hand in this sacred war. We
believe by the grace of God that your children will return safely,” the statement
quoted the minister as saying.
While commending them for attending the meeting, Wakil also lauded them for not
aligning with those who he said had decided to politicise the girls’ abduction.
“I assure you that not only will the rescue operations be successful, the other
three goals of reclaiming occupied territories, resettlement of IDPs and rebuilding
of communities, will be pursued to a logical conclusion. This is a personal pledge
from Mr. President which the entire administration is committed to,” the minister
added.
The statement also quoted the spokesperson for the parents and families of the
girls, Mrs. Pindar Dauda, as thanking Jonathan for his concern and sympathy,
while praying for the success of the ongoing military operations.