No effort should be spared to free abducted Chibok girls – EU

The Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS has expressed regrets that most of the abducted Chibok school girls remain unaccounted for three years after they were forcefully taken away by the Boko Haram insurgents.  While commending the Nigerian government for the action that resulted in the release of 21 of the girls […]

The Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS has expressed regrets that most of the abducted Chibok school girls remain unaccounted for three years after they were forcefully taken away by the Boko Haram insurgents. 

While commending the Nigerian government for the action that resulted in the release of 21 of the girls last year,  it called for more efforts to free the remaining captives.

The EU made the call in a statement issued on the 3rd Anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok Schoolgirls in Borno State.

The statement said, "The 14th of April marks the third anniversary of the criminal abduction of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram insurgents from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state.

"The European Union Delegation in Nigeria deeply regrets that most of the abducted girls remain unaccounted for three years after they were forcefully taken away from their homes, families and loved ones.

"We commend the Nigerian government and its international partners for the action that resulted in the release of 21 of the kidnapped girls last year, and for its stated commitment to ensure that the remaining girls are freed and reunited with their families."

The EU stressed that no effort should be spared to free the girls and bring their abductors to justice.

Nigeria has made significant progress over the last two years in combatting Boko Haram, but the group still remains a threat.

The union reiterated commitment to continue assisting the Government of Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram, and in its humanitarian, development and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas.

"In this regard, we are providing humanitarian and development assistance to vulnerable groups, especially children, as well as helping to create livelihoods for young people in the North East, including access to jobs, education and primary health care."