Jonathan Gives Marching Orders For Quick Rescue Of Abducted Schoolgirls

pres_jonathan_and_shettimaPresident Goodluck Jonathan has given a marching order to all the security agencies and Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, for all the abducted female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State to be rescued alive.

About 234 girls sitting for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in the school were abducted by Boko Haram gunmen 19 days ago.

However, the president gave the directive on Sunday after a meeting with Governor Shettima at the Presidential Villa.

The meeting which begun late Saturday and lasted till the early hours of Sunday, also had in attendance the Deputy governor of the state, Borno Commissioner for Education, Mr. Musa Kubo, the chairman of the local government, the State Commissioner of Police, the Divisional Police Officer and the Principal of the school, Asabe Kwabura.

Also at the meeting were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Senate President, David Mark; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius and Security Chiefs.

Speaking with State House correspondents on the outcome of the crucial meeting, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said that there was clear instruction from President Jonathan to all those who attended the meeting on the urgent need to rescue the girls on time.

According to Abati, the meeting was sequel to that which the president had with Service Chiefs on Friday as part of efforts to re-apparaise security strategies and ensure prompt rescue of the girls.

The presidential spokesperson noted that there was a high-powered collaboration among all stakeholders, including government at all levels and the community to ensure the safety of the girls.

“The President has given very clear directives that everything must be done to ensure that those girls are brought back to safety.

“There was a lot of discussion. This is the first time the President will be meeting with all the other key persons like the school principal, the local government chairman and the commissioner of police.

“Before now, the President and the governor meet regularly. This is a security operation and at this stage, it is not every detail of the efforts of the Federal Government that will be put into public domain particularly that there are indications that those responsible for the abduction have been issuing all kinds of threats”, Abati stated.

He added that “What is clear is the determination, the commitment and the resolve of Mr. President and the governor to make sure that these girls are brought back to safety”.

“I don’t want to deal with numbers. Even if it is one person, the safety of every Nigerian is important”, Abati stressed.

At the end of the meeting, President Jonathan and his team waited back for another meeting with the Borno governor and his deputy, which lasted for about 15 minutes.