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.”