Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari set the tone for the day’s reception for the 82 Chibok girls who are set to meet with the President soon, when he said, rather happily, “Welcome our girls. Welcome our sisters. We’re happy to have you back.
“We’re very glad that you are back. That every Nigerian today must be forgetting every other hardship they’re suffering, because it is a very joyous moment. Welcome, welcome, welcome.”
For the tired and confused girls, after travelling on road under heavy security from a military base in Banki near Nigeria-Cameroun border, the reception was the beginning of their induction into the society from which they were rudely removed three years ago. But unfortunately, they may have to wait indefinitely to see the President, who Sunday evening jetted to the UK for an indefinite medical attention, according to Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media.
Garba Shehu, Presidential Spokesman said “security agencies, the military, the Government of Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and local and international NGOs played a role in the operation.”
The girls were released on Saturday in exchange of some jailed Boko Haram terrorists according to government sources, who however did not disclose how many members of the sect were released.
