We always knew Buhari could rescue Chibok girls, says BBOG

‎The BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) has described the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls as a “wonderful development,” saying it knew President Muhammadu Buhari could secure the release of girls.

On Thursday, the government announced the release of the schoolgirls, explaining that they were released after a successful negotiation with the Boko Haram sect.

According to Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, the negotiation was brokered by the International Committee of Red Cross and the Swiss government.

Reacting to the development in a statement signed by Aisha Yesufu and Oby Ezekwesili, the advocacy group urged the government to work towards ensuring the well-being of the released girls.

“We welcome reports from the Presidential Spokesperson, Garba Shehu, of the negotiated release of 21 of our abducted #ChibokGirls today,” read the statement.

“This wonderful development confirms what we have always known about the capacity of our goverment to rescue our #ChibokGirls.

“While awaiting further details, we take this opportunity to salute the work of our security services at the front lines — the commitment, resilience and tireless efforts of our members of the Multi-national Joint Task Force and the civilian JTF. We also thank the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss government and all negotiators involved in securing the release.

“Following this development, we trust that our government will continue to work to keep the safety, security, and well-being of the other girls a high priority.

“We further urge the international community to continue to support our government’s effort to rescue all other abducted Nigerians, so that parents, the Chibok community, the nation, and the world can finally put an end to this nightmare once and for all.”

The BBOG statement contradicts previous utterances of the group, which doubted the capacity of the president to rescue the girls.

“Mr President you are a failure, I dare President Muhammadu Buhari, you should stand up and behave like a man,” Aisha Yesufu, a leader of the group, said only in August after the police barred the movement from entering the villa — the second time in four days.