SAN FRANCISCO, September 23, (THEWILL) – The Presidency has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari opted to seek the assistance of the United Nations, UN, in the rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls because other options did not work, stressing that the president was determined to do whatever it takes to rescue the girls from the “clutches” of Boko Haram terrorists.
Buhari had told the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon during a bilateral meeting with the United Nations scribe on the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, that he would be appreciative if the UN could mediate with the sect to secure the release of the girls who have been in captivity for over two years, adding that the Nigeria was willing to bend over backwards to secure the release of Chibok girls from captivity.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said, “The president has always stressed the fact that whatever it takes to get our girls back from the clutches of Boko Haram, the government was willing to do, and several options had been exploited, which didn’t work.
“So, he is taking it forward thinking that if the insurgents don’t have confidence in speaking to the government or its agent, maybe they will respect international agencies and cooperate with them.
“So, that was why he took it to the scribe of the United Nations.”
When asked if he believed the UN was capable of assisting, he said: “Well, no option can be ruled out. You agreed with me that the issue of the Chibok girls has reached a desperate level, and so no whatever can be done however desperate, as long as it brings the girls back, the government is ready to do.”
The presidential spokesman pointed out that Nigeria has put its option on the table, and the onus is on the agency to get back to Nigeria.
