We won’t relent until those in Boko Haram captivity are freed, says army

The Nigerian army says it will not relent in its effort to secure the release of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls and other Nigerians in Boko Haram captivity.

The army gave this assurance on Wednesday at a rally organised by a group known as Africa Arise for Change Network in conjunction with federal capital territory (FCT) market women association in Abuja to mark the release of 82 schoolgirls.

The girls were released on Saturday.

Adamu Usman, a senior officer at the army headquarters, said troops had been “sweating it out” on the battlefield to restore peace and sanity to the nation.

“The Nigerian army is happy with the safe return of the girls. It is not over until is over. We want to assure Nigerians that the army and the Nigerian government won’t relent until this battle is won,” Usman said.

Speaking earlier, Lillian Cosmos, FCT coordinator, Africa Arise for Change Network, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping to his promise and facilitating the freedom of the girls.

Cosmos, however, urged the Nigerian government and the army to fight hard so the remaining girls and other Nigerian held captive by the insurgent could regain their freedom.

“The large number of persons present at this rally today is proof that we are all elated at the joy of freedom for the latest batch of Chibok girls to be freed from captivity. As would be expected, the large multitude here today is dominated by mothers,” Cosmos said.

“These are mothers in the true sense because they joined this rally all the way from Nyanya to this point in Abacha Barracks in solidarity with mothers that have endured over three years without their children.

“The release of the Chibok girls might appear to have been delayed but we take cognizance of the fact that all hopes were lost in the months after their abduction until the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“We, therefore, commend President Buhari for keeping to his promise. We also use this opportunity to thank the military for pushing the terrorists to a point where a prisoner swap was possible.

“We however want to appeal to the federal government not to relent on efforts to bring home the remaining girls and any other person still being held hostage by the terrorists. No one deserves to remain with those killers one minute longer than necessary.

Usman thanked the women, Nigerian media as well as civil societies for their support and prayers for the military and promised to present the peaceful flag received from the women to the appropriate quarters.