THE national leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has commended the tenacity and perseverance of the Federal Government which paid off with the release of another set of 82, Chibok girls. This is coming over a year after the initial 21 out of the then over 200 Chibok girls held in captivity by Boko Haram since they were abducted from their school in Chibok on April 14, 2014 were released.

This release we understand was as a result of the continuation of negotiations between Government and the Insurgent Groups to ensure the release of all the girls in captivity.

“We note with gratitude that despite the various difficulties faced by the Federal Government in the process of these negotiations, Government remained resolute and undeterred as a result of which another milestone was attained. We equally salute the courage and forthrightness of all the Agents of State who assisted, and the friendly foreign governments and the International humanitarian Agencies that put their lives at stake to secure this feat,” NUJ said in a statement signed by
Shuaibu Usman Leman,national secretary and made available to Realnews on Sunday, May 7.

The Union charges government not to relent in its determination to ensure that the remaining Chibok girls and all other citizens in captivity are freed and reunited with their loved ones.

While expressing the profound appreciation of the NUJ to all those involved in this commendable act, it is equally important to remind all and sundry to continue to give maximum support and cooperation to the federal government and the Nigerian Armed Forces so that this insurgency can be resolved for the benefit of the nation once and for all.

“We also appeal to the Leadership of Boko Haram to continue to embrace dialogue rather than resorting to violent agitations that will not yield any positive result for the nation. Nigeria needs peace now more than ever before,” it said.

– May 7, 2017 @ 3:49 GMT