Nigeria’s President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has pledged to do all
possible to rescue more than 200 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok in
Borno State, by Boko Haram militants, a year ago.
The girls were seized April 14, 2014 from their dormitories as they prepared for exams.
The current federal government has failed to rescue them, and has been
widely criticised for not doing enough, until recently, to tackle Boko
Haram.
In a statement marking the girls’ one year in captivity, Mr. Buhari said his government will act differently.
But he warned that the new approach must begin with “honesty”, in
admitting that the girls’ whereabouts are unknown, and that as much as
he wishes to, he cannot promise his government can find them.
Still, he assured “every parent, family member and friend of the
children that my Government will do everything in its power to bring
them home”.
Read the full statement below:
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari: Statement on the first anniversary of the kidnap by Boko Haram of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok
“Today we remember the kidnapping of 276 girls from a school in Chibok
one year ago. This crime has rightly caused outrage both in Nigeria and
across the world.
“Today is a time to reflect on the pain and suffering of the victims,
their friends and families. Our thoughts and prayers, and that of the
whole Nigerian Nation, are with you today.
“I want to assure all of them, and particularly the parents, that when
my new Administration takes office at the end of May, we will do
everything we can to defeat Boko Haram. We will act differently from the
Government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and intend
to respond accordingly.
“This new approach must also begin with honesty. We do not know if the
Chibok girls can be rescued. Their whereabouts remain unknown. As much
as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them. But I say to every
parent, family member and friend of the children that my Government
will do everything in its power to bring them home.
“What I can pledge, with absolute certainty, is that starting on the
first day of my Administration Boko Haram will know the strength of our
collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and bring
back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas.
““Boko Haram” means “Western Education is Sinful”. When they are
defeated militarily, as they will be, we will ensure our citizens in the
affected areas have improved educational opportunities as a direct
counterbalance to Boko Haram’s twisted ideology. In particular we will
educate ever more young girls ensuring they are empowered as citizens of
Nigeria.
“Let us use this anniversary to remind each other that the attack on
Chibok was an attack on the dreams and aspirations of our young people.
“We stand united in our pledge to resist terror in Nigeria– not just
through military means but also through the power of opportunity and the
hope of a better future for all”.
General Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR)
President-elect, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Daura, Katsina
Nigeria
13 April 2015.
