U.S. restates support for Nigeria’s anti-terror war, victims’ families

The United States (U.S.) has reaffirmed its  support for Nigeria’s fight against  terrorists.

It also pledged to help terror survivors and their families in line with shared values and common goals by both countries.

Spokesperson  for the U.S. Embassy, Aishah Gambari, made these known yesterday as Nigeria marked  10 years  of the  abduction of  276  schoolgirls by terrorists in Chibok, Borno State.

Also yesterday, Borno State Government raised hope that 89 of the schoolgirls still in Boko Haram captivity  since April 14, 2014, would be rescued.

About 187 of the girls who regained their freedom  were either  rescued or escaped from captivity. Some reunited with their families, others proceeded abroad for studies.  Some  are quartered in a special camp in Borno State  where they are receiving psychosocial support.

Gambari added in  a statement that the U.S. would not only   continue to ensure that perpetrators of terror  attacks were held accountable,  it  would guarantee citizens’ safety and well-being.

The statement reads: “The partnership between the United States and Nigeria is built on a foundation of shared values and common goals.

“We will continue to work together to promote peace, security, and stability in the region, and to support initiatives that foster education, economic growth, and human rights.

“As we mark one decade since this terrible act, we reaffirm our support for the survivors, their families, and all those affected by terrorism.

“The United States stands with Nigeria in its fight against extremism and its commitment to creating a safer, more prosperous future for all its people.”

At a news conference  to mark the decade of the abduction,  Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security  Usman Tar  assured parents of the yet-to-be rescued   schoolgirls of  government’s continued efforts to free them.

“This painful date (April 14, 2014) is ingrained in our collective memory and we shall not rest on our oars until the last of our innocent girls are back home with their families.

“On this auspicious occasion of the 10th anniversary of the abduction of Chibok girls, the Borno  Government identifies and sympathises with all those who are affected by abduction.

“The government wishes to inform the public that we shall continue to struggle to salvage our abducted girls on behalf of the parents and relatives of the Chibok girls who are still in captivity.

“We understand the pain and anguish that the families of those still in captivity are going through, this is our sorrow!

“We also wish to use this occasion to take stock of the rescued girls and provide an update on how the girls are coming to terms with adjusting to normal life after captivity, and efforts of the Borno Government to sustain the momentum on the rescue of the remaining girls.”

He added that  most of the rescued girls have  been enrolled in different schools or graduated under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

Also yesterday,  the National Coordinator, Financing Safe Schools Initiative, Halima Iliya, said  plans were underway to engage hunters and vigilantes to gather intelligence that would help curb  attacks on schools across the country.

“As a component of the plan, for states with local vigilantes, we intend to train their hunters, vigilantes and volunteers while for states without registered vigilantes, we intend to advocate to use youths,” Iliya said.