Abduction Of School Girls: Last Seven Days My Worst Ever – Shettima

Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima lamented that the last seven days have been the worst in his life since becoming governor in 2011, following the abduction of 129 girls from a secondary school in the state.

The statement came as seven more girls escaped from captivity, bringing the total number of those who have escaped to 52 leaving 77 still in captivity.

Shettima made this known in the Easter message released by his spokesman, Isa Gusau following the abduction of 129 school girls at Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State last week.

The Governor said although he had witnessed very dark days of insurgency inherited by his administration, none of the attacks had been more troubling for him as the abduction of the school girls.

“I am also very much aware that the girls abducted consist of not just those with origins traced to Chibok but also from other parts of the state and the country which is typical of a good secondary school that should unite Nigerians. I am also aware that the abducted students include both Christians and Muslim faithful.

“I am made to understand that the Ameera (spiritual head) of the Muslim Students Society in the school is among those abducted and yet to be freed. She was abducted alongside her Christian and Muslim colleagues without the insurgents worried about the religion any of the students practice. We must therefore remain united in our shared grief to pray vehemently for our girls as well as the patriotic security agencies and civilian volunteers currently in relentless search and rescue efforts.

“Between last night and this evening, seven more girls escaped from captivity, bringing to 52 the number of those with us out of 129 students that were at the hostel on the day of that attack. This means 77 students are yet to be found.”

Meanwhile, the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State, yesterday, called on all Christians in the state and Nigeria to begin fasting and prayers for the release of all the secondary school girls kidnapped by insurgents in Chibok.

State chairman of the association, Rev. Titus Pona at a press briefing in Maiduguri yesterday equally appealed to members of the Boko Haram to release the school girls.

“We are calling on all Christians in Borno state, Nigeria and the world to fast and pray for the release of the girls.

He also called on the insurgents to lay down their arms and channel their grievances through dialogue with the federal and state governments.