Nigerians yesterday were unanimous in their rections to the release of additional 82 Chibok schoolgirls captured be Boko Haram in April 2014.

Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in a statement in Yola, Adamawa State, said the girls’ freedom showed what Nigeria could achieve as a nation when united as one people with common cause: 

“Nigerians stood together as a people and purposed to free these girls.

“Despite the many setbacks, hurdles and periods of discouragement, the government, civil society and the citizens all stood together, and today we have this victory that we are enjoying as one people.

“Thanks to the hard work of our state security services, the military and the leadership of President Buhari, the government now has tangible results to show for all the persistence.” 

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, commended the efforts of the Federal Government, security operatives and the International Red Cross on the release of 82 of the Chibok schoolgirls.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, expressed delight at the development, saying that the prayers and well-wishes of Nigerians and the global community had led to the return of “more of our daughters.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, described the development as “delightful and heartening.  

“Last month, the House of Representatives adopted a motion urging the Executive to expedite negotiation for the release of the schoolgirls who remain in captivity, and the news of the release of 82 Chibok girls is delightful, to say the least.

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“It is extremely gladdening that these 82 girls will finally be reunited with their families; it is my ardent hope that they get the required medical attention, and that the other girls – and all others – who remain in captivity are released soon.” 

  The  #Bring Back Our Girls(BBOG), in a statement signed by its spokesperson Sesugh Akume, said “Once we are able to do so, we shall  communicate our findings to the public”.

“We are exceedingly delighted by this good news that has been long awaited following last October when upon the release of our 21 #ChibokGirls, our Federal Government  promised that; another 83 was being negotiated to be released very soon”.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement by its  National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, APC said: “Nigerians will recall that last year, government secured the release of 20 girls. The APC also wishes to express its profound gratitude to all security organisations and international agencies that have played various roles to secure the release of the Chibok schoolgirls.

“The party congratulates and celebrates the girls who have bravely survived the very harrowing experiences these past three years and their parents and families who have endured the nervy and traumatic wait for their children.”

“President Buhari has further proven that he is a man of his words, as he could have used the initial inaction by the previous administration as an excuse to not take action, but he didn’t. It has been said in many quarters that true leadership is defined not by apportioning blame, but by solving challenges irrespective of their genesis, and the President deserves all commendation for this feat.

“It is extremely gladdening that these 82 girls will finally be reunited with their families; it is my ardent hope that they get the required medical attention, and that the other girls – and all others – who remain in captivity are released soon.”