President-Elect, Mohammadu Buhari
says as much as he wants the abducted Chibok girls rescued, he cannot assure
that his government when sworn-in will be able to do so.
“As much as I wish to, I cannot
promise that we can find them,” Buhari was quoted to have said in a statement.
“Today we remember the kidnapping of 276 girls
from a school in Chibok one year ago. This crime has rightly caused outrage
both in Nigeria and across the world.
“Today is a time to reflect on
the pain and suffering of the victims, their friends and families. Our thoughts
and prayers, and that of the whole Nigerian Nation, are with you today.
“I want to assure all of them, and
particularly the parents, that when my new Administration takes office at the
end of May, we will do everything we can to defeat Boko Haram. We will act
differently from the Government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens
and intend to respond accordingly.
“This new approach must also
begin with honesty. We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued. Their
whereabouts remain unknown. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can
find them.
“But I say to every parent,
family member and friend of the children that my Government will do everything
in its power to bring them home.
“What I can pledge, with absolute certainty,
is that starting on the first day of my Administration Boko Haram will know the
strength of our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror,
and bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas.
“’Boko Haram’ means ‘Western
Education is Sinful’. When they are defeated militarily, as they will be, we
will ensure our citizens in the affected areas have improved educational
opportunities as a direct counterbalance to Boko Haram’s twisted ideology. In
particular we will educate ever more young girls ensuring they are empowered as
citizens of Nigeria.
“Let us use this anniversary to
remind each other that the attack on Chibok was an attack on the dreams and
aspirations of our young people.
“We stand united in our pledge to
resist terror in Nigeria– not just through military means but also through the
power of opportunity and the hope of a better future for all,” the statement
read.
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