Buhari rekindles hope on Chibok girls return, tells why Leah Sharibu’s release lingers

*Says Boko Haram’s fears hinders Leah Sharibu’s release

*As government won’t halt military operations of North East as condition

President Muhammadu Buhari says hope is not lost on possibility that Chibok schoolgirls remaining with their Boko Haram captors would return.

This was disclosed in a statement sent to The DEFENDER by a presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, on the occasion of fifth anniversary of the abduction done over a year before the President’s assumption of office and out of whom he had so far rescued and returned 107.

On Leah Sharibu, who was the one girl left in the Dapchi, Yobe abduction, the President also promised that she would reunite with her parents as soon as condition for her release is met, adding that her release has unfortunately been hindered by the fear of the militants.

The President said the Boko Haram insurgents worry that heavy military presence in areas where they previously moved about freely could affect their safety after they return her to the government, even as he said at the same time, the military cannot jeopardise the security of the entire north-eastern region by halting their operations to accommodate Boko Haram’s fears.

The President spoke as some concerned Nigerians insisted that the activities of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) while the President successfully secured the Dapchi schoolgirls release caused while the innocent girl remained in the captivity of the insurgents.

It will be recalled how Christian leaders were celebrated in front page lead story of major Nigerian newspapers about how Sharibu had become “Christian heroine for defeating Boko Haram by refusing to be converted to Islam”, an attitude the concerned Nigerians described as unfortunate as it obviously angered the insurgents who withdrew and kept her back just to achieve their plot to cause religious war in the country.

The statement said: “President Muhammadu Buhari would like to remind the parents of the school girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State that he has still not forgotten their daughters who were kidnapped from their dormitory five years ago (April 14, 2014).

“He promised the parents when he met them, at the beginning of his first term as president, that he would bring their daughters home.

“He is aware that this promise he made is the main reason the people of Chibok voted overwhelmingly for him in the February elections, and although his government has so far succeeded in bringing back 107 of the girls, the President will not rest until the remaining are reunited with their families.

“President Buhari assures the parents that his administration is still on the matter.

“Diverse efforts are being intensified to secure the release of the Chibok Girls, along with all hostages in Boko Haram captivity, including Leah Sharibu who was kidnapped from her school, Science Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe State, on February 19, 2018.

“On Leah Sharibu’s abduction, the interlocutors have reported encouraging progress so far.

“The report reaching us says her return to her family has unfortunately been hindered by the fear of the militants.

“They worry that heavy military presence in areas where they previously moved about freely could affect their safety after they return her to the government.

“At the same time, the military cannot jeopardise the security of the entire north-eastern region by halting their operations to accommodate Boko Haram’s fears.

“Leah Sharibu will be reunited with her family as soon as any conclusions are reached on a number of options being considered for her safe transportation.

“The success of the Nigerian military in subduing Boko Haram is evidenced by the large numbers of militants who have surrendered recently, especially in neighbouring Cameroon and Niger.

“A similar mass surrender of militants is expected to happen soon in Nigeria.

“While Nigerian military operations are ongoing, the government is also engaging with the militants but the talks have been affected by the factionalisation of Boko Haram – with one group adopting a hard line attitude and intensifying attacks on Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, and another group engaging with the government for peaceful resolution.

“President Buhari also uses this opportunity of the commemoration of the Chibok tragedy to commend the girls, now women, who have triumphed over it all.

“He sends special greetings to the 106 girls sponsored by the Nigerian government to continue their studies at the American University of Nigeria, Yola.

“He encourages them to stay focused on becoming women who will inspire girls in Nigeria and around the world to triumph over the daily battles they face in a world that is often unfair to the girl-child.

“President Buhari also extends his best wishes to Chibok girls in other schools in Nigeria and around the world.

“He sends special congratulations to Kauna Yaga Bitrus, who has excelled beyond expectations in her college in Maine, USA, and who is soon to receive a special ‘Against All Odds Award’from her school.”