Nigeria’s Buhari meets 82 freed schoolgirls

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday night met with the 82 schoolgirls recently freed by Boko Haram, assuring them of the government’s commitment to their continuous education and welfare.

Buhari described the girls’ freedom as a “pleasant anniversary gift” to Nigerians, a reference for the second anniversary of his swearing as president on May 29.

“I am very pleased to have personally met you and let me assure you that the Presidency will personally supervise the performance of those entrusted with your welfare and commitments made by the Federal Government on your health, education, security and general well-being,” according to excerpts of his speech released by his office.

Reporters were disallowed from the meeting apparently to shield the girls from media interviews or needless exposure. Amnesty International had earlier on Sunday called on the government to bar access to the girls.

Buhari also pledged to ensure that the remaining 113 girls still in captivity - and every other Nigerian being held by the militants - are freed and reunited with their families, according to the excerpts.

He also thanked the security agencies, all the non-profit organizations, including the Red Cross, and local authorities who he said were key in the negotiations that culminated in the girls’ freedom.

A total of 276 schoolgirls had been abducted from their dormitories on the night of April 14, 2014 from northeastern Chibok town. Some 57 of the girls escaped from their captors on the same night, three were rescued through army operations while 21 were freed last October through negotiations.

With the 82 released on Saturday, the tally of the girls who have regained their freedom comes to 163, leaving 113 still with their captors, according to figure provided by the #BringBackOurGirls’ movement.