Scores of indigenes of Kibaku, a community in Chibok, the troubled Borno State town where 234 school girls were abducted by Boko Haram, marched yesterday on Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola’s office.
The protesters, including women and children, under the aegis of the Lagos State chapter of Chibok Youth Association, pleaded with Fashola to pass on their grievances to President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State. They should ensure the safe return of the abducted girls, the angry crowd said.
The leader of the group, Mr. Yahaya Chiwar, said the decision to take their grievances to the governor was due to his outstanding track record in securing lives and property of residents of the state.
Chiwar said the group was worried that 13 days after the girls were abducted, there had been no news from the government concerning their safety or any chance of their being rescued.
He added that what was more alarming was that after the parents of the abducted girls searched the Sambisa forest, they located the camp where the insurgents were holding the girls and immediately reported to the appropriate authorities, but were dismayed when no action was taken.
“Our parents had no choice than to come back home to inform the security authorities where the girls were been kept, but Your Excellency, their parents communicated with us yesterday (Sunday) and there is no information whatsoever that these girls have been rescued or at the process of being rescued.
“Therefore, we as their brothers and we have sisters in Diaspora, we have resolved that we cannot remain silent; we are here because of your commitment to security of lives and properties in the state. We believe the nearest authority to us is you, who is not only the Chief Executive of the State, we believe we can express our grievances to you and you can forward our grievances to the relevant authorities, particularly to President Jonathan.”
Presenting a letter to Fashola for onward transmission to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chiwar said: “We believe that you will help us to ensure that our voice will be heard.”
Fashola, in an emotional voice, praised members of the Chibok Youth Association for their courage and selflessness to stand for their daughters and sisters who were unfortunate victims of the nation’s porous security system.
He condemned the abduction of the girls, describing it as a clear act of hostage-taking, which is unthinkable and dehumanising.
“One can only imagine the kind of horror and grief the parents of these girls must be feeling, I am a parent myself and I understand it. If my children are ill, I know the kind of frustration, fear and anxiety that I go through when they are ill, not to mention indescribable emotion that the parents of these girls are going through to know whether they are alive and where they are and what conditions they might be in. even the girls themselves, the kind of fear, it must be a traumatic experience for everyone involved”.
Fashola, however, cautioned the protesters against nursing the thought that nothing was being done to rescue the girls, saying that it is likely that the authorities might be careful not to take steps that would harm the girls in the process of trying to rescue them.
He encouraged the parents not to lose hope on the safe return of their children.
Fashola promised to deliver the letter to President Goodluck Jonathan before the close of work on Monday.
The presidency is weighing its options on how to rescue the abducted girls by Boko Haram gunmen, NE gathered.
On the cards is a non-violent option, which will require asking some clerics and Northerners respected by the sect to prevail on its leadership to release the girls.
There are fears that an outright military onslaught may lead to a high casualty.
But for the death of his brother, Vice-President Namadi Sambo would have started consultations with some would-be mediators. Sambo’s younger brother, Yusuf, a pilot, died on Sunday in a road accident in Abuja.
Some of those listed for intervention were said to be excited last night because of their “deep concerns” for the girls.
“Even within Chibok, intelligence report indicated that some of those who abducted the girls were known to the locals. Therefore, there is possibility that the sect has a network base in the area where the school is located,” a source said, adding:
“What the government is thinking is how to engage every citizen capable of assisting to rescue the girls. This is one of the options.
“Some of those who can facilitate link with Boko Haram are already being consulted.”
Replying to a question, the source added: “The ongoing collaboration with some neighbouring countries and intelligence sharing with international organisations is also another option.”
Another source, who spoke in confidence, said: “I think the non-violent option might be explored because where the girls are kept is heavily fortified.
“If the troops storm the place with their fury, it will lead to a lot of things, including tragic losses. At the end of the day, the target of rescuing the girls would not be achieved.”
Contacted last night, the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade said: “The search for the school girls is still on. For operational reasons, we cannot give the details.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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