Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has hailed the release of 21 missing girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state.
The girls were abducted from their school by Boko Haram terrorists in April, 2014.
The Senate President commended President Muhammadu Buhari, security agencies, the government of Switzerland and the international community and other stakeholders for their role in ensuring the safe return of the girls.
In a statement signed by his spokesman, Yusuf Olaniyonu, Saraki said, “We join all Nigerians to rejoice on the return of our daughters. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of those who have returned and those girls who remain in the hands of the terrorists.
“It is our hope that the release of more of the girls is imminent and that our nation remains vigilant in the face of the continued crisis in North-East, Nigeria.
“The release of the 21 girls is a testament to the perseverance of our men and women in uniform, the civilian joint task force and a clear indication that this government has been relentless in securing their release.
“Moving forward, we need to ensure that the girls that have been returned to us are re-united with their families, and rehabilitated to become full members of our society.
“We must also not take our foot off the gas; Nigerians must continue to be united and insistent on the safe return of the other girls that are still in the hands of Boko Haram.”
He reiterated the determination of the Senate to work with the executive in ensuring the safe return of the other girls who are still in captivity.
“On our part, the Nigerian Senate has been clear that we will continue to do everything within our powers to support efforts aimed at securing the release of the rest of the girls,” he said
