Abducted schoolgirls: I responded better than Jonathan, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration’s response to the abduction of secondary school students is better when compared to that of the previous government.

While Boko Haram insurgents kidnapped 110 students of Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state on February 19, 2018, the group abducted 274 students from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state, on April 14, 2014.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan was accused of not responding to the Chibok incident on time because he felt it was the antics of the opposition.

Speaking during a townhall meeting in Damaturu, Yobe state capital on Wednesday, Buhari said his government acted immediately it learnt of the kidnap at Dapchi.

He also spoke about how some Chibok schoolgirls and other captives were released due to the efforts of his government.

“The federal government’s response to the unfortunate abduction of the schoolgirls is a clear departure from the insensitivity of the past administration which looked the other way while the Chibok girls were taken away in 2014 and held in captivity for over three years,” he said.

“Due to our commitment, over 100 Chibok girls have been rescued and reunited with their families, sent back to school and empowered with requisite skills.

“You may recall that recently, our negotiation efforts led to the release of abducted University of Maiduguri lecturers, some women police personnel, students and even an NYSC member.

“We, therefore, have no doubt that the Dapchi girls will be rescued or released. I can reassure parents, Nigerians and the International Community that we will do all that is within our power to make sure that the girls are brought back safely to their families.”