Prominent Nigerians and groups have expressed joy over the release of students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, kidnapped by Boko Haram.
The girls were released on Wednesday by the group in Dapchi town after a negotiation between it and the federal government.
In a statement issued by Yusuph Olaniyonu on behalf of his principal, Senate President Bukola Saraki described the release of 101 of the 110 abducted girls as the answered prayers of millions of Nigerians.
Saraki commended President Buhari, the Nigerian security forces and the government of Yobe State, for the ongoing effort that led to the release of the girls, stating that the government should do all within its power to ensure the return of the remaining Dapchi and Chibok girls.
“The release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls is tremendous news for the country. Our prayers have been answered.
“I commend President Buhari, our security forces and the Yobe State Government for their effort in bringing back our girls. However, we cannot stop here. We must not rest until all the Dapchi girls, and the remaining Chibok girls are back home with their families.
“I hope that the girls that have been released will soon be reunited with their families and loved ones. It is also necessary that we ensure that they receive the necessary care and rehabilitation that they need to continue to lead normal lives.
“I urge the affected families and the Yobe State Government to do all within their power to ensure that these girls continue their education — as this will be the strongest signal to their abductors that though they may have kidnapped their bodies — they will never break their spirits and their minds.”
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also expressed joy, saying the release of the girls was a reassuring development.
The group commended the Federal Government for the effort.
Read also: Dapchi: FG updates figure of freed girls to 101
“ACF therefore commends the Federal Government for its commitment and determination to the rescue and release of the Dapchi girls.
“The release of the Dapchi girls has certainly gladdened the hearts of the affected parents, relations, the Yobe State Government and other Nigerians,’’ ACF National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, said.
In its reaction, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the prompt release of the girls was a demonstration of the political will of President Muhammadu Buhari to secure lives of Nigerians.
According to the APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abudullahi, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, “APC is extremely delighted with the news of the return of the schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, by Boko Haram.
“With this prompt release of the Dapchi girls, the APC government has demonstrated how government should respond to such situations.
“If the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration had responded with a similar alacrity, the Chibok schoolgirls would have been released or rescued.“
