President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Dapchi Schoolgirls who regained freedom from Boko Haram terrorists to pursue their dreams without fear.
DAILY NIGERIAN obtained and published footages of the girls arriving the presidential villa Friday afternoon.
Mr Buhari said this when he received the girls as well as a boy and one other girl on Friday at the State House in Abuja.
The girls were released on Wednesday, after members of the outlawed group abducted them from the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, in Yobe State on February 19.
President Muhammadu Buhari, however, assured them of their security and that efforts are on to also secure the release of the remaining Chibok girls and other Nigerians in captivity of the terrorists.
READ ALSO: Buhari: I’ll not abandon Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu, held by Boko Haram
“To the rescued students, we want to reassure you as our daughters that you will freely live and pursue your dreams in Nigeria of peace and order, without fear of violence or molestation,” he said.
“While parents of the Dapchi girls rejoice because of the reunion with their children, I want to appeal to the Chibok Community never to lose hope or to despair. We are determined as never before, to bring back our remaining Chibok daughters and this, we must accomplish and that will be soon, by God’s grace,” he added.
Unconditional Release
The delighted President formally announced that 105 Dapchi schoolgirls and two others previously abducted by the insurgents were unconditionally released by their abductors.
He noted that the development which he described as “cheering and hearty” signifies the commitment of his administration to the security and well-being of all Nigerians.
President Buhari further recalled his visit to Yobe State on Wednesday last week during which he sympathised with the parents, families, and people of the state on the tragic abduction of the students in Dapchi.
He added that he had made a solemn pledge “on my word of honour” that the Federal Government would do everything possible to ensure their unconditional release of the girls.
“We are never in doubt about our focus and direction since the assumption of this administration – security, anti-corruption and revamping of our economy are the main focus of our government,” President Buhari avowed.
On the approach taken to secure the girls’ release, he said: “We reached out to our contacts at home and abroad, we embarked on backchannel shuttles with a clear view to bringing to an end this tragedy.”
“We entered into negotiations solely to make sure that no single girl was hurt. This strategy paid off as the girls have been released without any incidents,” the President added.
See photos of the girls at the Aso Villa below:
