The Presidency, on Thursday, explained why the Federal Government has been slow at rescuing the over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Chibok, Borno State in April 2014.
According to the Presidency, the present slow and steady method became imperative to avoid a repeat of the 2004 experience when 300 children were killed in an attempt by Russians to free hostages held by Chechens in the North Caucasus region of Russia.
While speaking at Chatham House lecture series held at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said “the need to avoid a repeat of the 2004 experience when 300 children were killed in an attempt by Russians to free hostages held by Chechens in the North Caucasus region of Russia was responsible for the seemingly slow process of freeing the Chibok girls.”
According to Dr Okupe, who spoke on ‘Priorities and Progress in Nigeria: Imperatives for Stability and Growth’, tackling the current insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country was a major priority of the Federal Government. He, however, lamented that the various acts of insurgency were slowing down growth in other equally important sectors of the economy.
“We are taking advantage of the offers from our international military and intelligence allies to get a greater understanding of the landscape and identify key locations. We are working with our neighbours to secure the borders and limit the movements of the Boko Haram fighters, building on the agreements reached at the recent summits in Paris and London”, he said.
He also disclosed that plans were being put in place by the Nigerian Government to block domestic and international sources of funds for the group.
Okupe maintained that since Nigeria attained independence, no administration had done as much as the Jonathan administration in guaranteeing food sufficiency, better power output, effective transport and economic stability.
