Released Chibok Girls: Congrats are in order

I was quite pleased to read that the governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, saying if any Nigerians had doubts about the sincerity and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the rescue of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents at Government Secondary School, Chibok on April 14, 2014, as well as his sincerity in […]

I was quite pleased to read that the governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, saying if any Nigerians had doubts about the sincerity and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the rescue of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents at Government Secondary School, Chibok on April 14, 2014, as well as his sincerity in rescuing all other victims and ending the Boko Haram insurgency, such doubts should be eliminated by the release of 21 of them.
I read that Shettima said the release was possible through a negotiation. Portions of what he said follow: “As people of Borno State troubled by the deaths and destructions of Boko Haram insurgency, one of our major sources of strength since May 29, 2015, has been the undiluted sincerity we saw in President Muhammadu Buhari based on his administration’s absolutely genuine commitment towards recovering our schoolgirls, thousands of other women and children held in captivity as well as ending the insurgency in order to secure the lives of our citizens and make way for reconstruction, resettlement and other development programs and projects. We had faith in Buhari from the very day he took off as President.”
Shettima said the steps which the president kept on taking in dealing with the insurgency continuously proved his sincerity, and that if any Nigerian or members of the international community had doubts, they must by now be laid to rest. “This of course doesn’t mean that the rescue efforts are over. I am certain that the recovery of our 21 precious daughters from [Boko Haram] only strengthens the resolve of the Buhari administration to continue to work tirelessly until all the girls and all Nigerians abducted are freed and until the insurgency is brought to an end to guarantee public safety,” the statement added.
While there are many things to celebrate, and many congratulations to offer around, let me first felicitate with the parents, citizens of Chibok and Nigerians in general. I also must strongly commend the Nigerian armed forces and all those who worked towards this remarkable recovery. I, and I’m sure every other Nigerian, will forever remain grateful for the tireless commitment of our armed forces, and all their sacrifice in the North-East.
I’m also happy that it’s been reported that the Borno State Government has long put in place a rehabilitation process that would work in partnership with the Federal Government and interested humanitarian partners to ensure proper medical evaluation, trauma management and other key steps for the Chibok Girls. Once more, I offer congratulations to every Nigerian, in fact every human being, who offered a prayer in favour of the safe return of these innocent girls.
Hassan wrote in from Maiduguri, Borno State.