From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls abducted over two years ago.
Shettima in his first reaction to the release of the girls in Banki, about 135 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri yesterday said the success of the negotiation between the Federal Government and Boko Haram insurgents which led to the release confirms Buhari’s sincerity on rescue, fight against insurgency.
“If any Nigerian had doubts about the sincerity and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the rescue of our precious daughters 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 success of the negotiation that led to the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls,” Shettima said in a statement signed on his behalf by his spokesman, Isa Gusau.
He said though Borno people have been troubled by deaths and destructions caused by Boko Haram insurgency, President Buhari’s “undiluted sincerity” has remained the source of strength of the people and the state.
“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 have been our sources of strength. We had faith in Buhari from the very day he took off as President. The steps he kept on taking in dealing with the insurgency continuously proved his sincerity,” he said.
He also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and “all those who worked towards the recovery” of the 21 girls. “We shall forever be grateful to those who contributed in any form towards this major feat that renews our hope to recover all our girls alive and in good health,” he said.