Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday said his government would sustain efforts to free the remaining girls, kidnapped by the jihadist group Boko Haram in 2014.
The group had released 21 girls on Thursday.
“About 100 more (girls) are still in the hands of the terrorists,” Buhari told reporters in Berlin after a meeting with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. “We hope we’ll get some … intelligence to go about securing the balance.”
Determination To Secure
After the release of the girls, President Buhari said their rescue was a confirmation of his determination to secure all Nigerians where ever they are.
He made comments about the girls’ release at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja just before takeoff to Germany on an official visit.
He said that the Vice President would work out the details of how to receive the girls.
“I believe you will be duly briefed by the Vice President. He will give you the details. I have just been briefed about it and I think the Vice President and the Minister of Information will give you the details.
“To Nigerians all over, our responsibility is to continue to secure them wherever they are,” the President said.
Appointees Rejig Call
President Buhari also dismissed criticism voiced by his wife, Aisha Buhari, in a BBC interview published on Friday, saying that he had “superior knowledge” about running the government.
The wife had said she might not back her husband in the next election unless he ‘shakes up his government’.
The first lady, who further alleged that the presidency had been hijacked, said a “few people” were behind presidential appointments.
According to her, people who did not share the vision of the ruling All Progressives Congress, were now appointed to top posts because of the influence of certain people.
Mrs Buhari said the President “does not know” most of the top officials he had appointed.
“The President does not know 45 out of 50 of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years,” Mrs Buhari stated.
She further said her husband had not told her whether he would contest the 2019 election.
