We Must Secure Every Life, PMB Assures Nigerians
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government will shirk its responsibility of protecting Nigerians and securing the country as every life in the country is precious and indispensable.
He also declared the government’s resolve to explore all possible means to guarantee the safe return of all abducted persons by the Boko Haram insurgents.
The President said; “Let me say that this Government treasures all human lives, particularly that of its citizens and following your abduction, the security agencies were directed by me to do everything possible to ensure the safe release of every one of you and other persons.”
Speaking at the Presidential Villa on Monday when he received the three University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) lecturers and nine women recently released by ISIS and Boko Haram, President Buhari said government is paring utmost attention and care to on-going negotiations for the release of more abducted Nigerians.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina stated that President Buhari has pledged that government will always placed the welfare, security and safety of citizens on its high priority list
He said President informed the freed lecturers and women that negotiations for their release were painstaking and protracted because their abductors were in groups, staying in different locations, which necessitated more diligence and care in ensuring the safety of their lives.
The Media aide further stated that the President has ordered all the security agencies to take adequate steps and measures in protecting schools and students, even as he expressed sadness that some students were abducted from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.
While appreciating the security agencies and all those who facilitated the release of the victims, President Buhari expressed the administration’s resolve to ensure all persons abducted by the insurgents, are rescued or released safely.
According to the statement by Adesina; “This is especially against the backdrop of the recent sad incident where another group of girls were abducted on 19th February, from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.
“I have since directed all security agencies to immediately ensure that every effort is directed to ensure the safety of our schools and students, as well as bringing back the abducted girls to their families.”
The President lauded all the respective security and government agencies as well as international organisations for their professionalism throughout the rescue process, pledging government’s readiness to work closely with them for rehabilitation and resettlement of all displaced persons.
In his comments at the occasion, Director General Department of State Security (DSS), Lawal Musa Daura, said negotiations for the release of more abducted Nigerians were already on, with considerations for the cessation of all hostilities and amnesty for the insurgents, who are ready to embrace it.
One of the released UNIMAID lecturers, Dr Solomon Yusuf, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed happiness with the government’s intervention, adding; “While we were in captivity, there were lots of analyses if we will ever make it out; with 180 million Nigerians, we were thinking who will remember us.”
Yusuf said; “We are happy you came for us. It shows that the life of every Nigerian is important.”
