TheCable

The BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement has asked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to give an update on the status of Amina Ali, the only girl rescued from the captivity of Boko Haram.

The group also demanded an explanation on the efforts made to rescue the remaining 218 abducted girls.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, BBOG said it would be compelled to demand a meeting with the president if there was no response.

“Today is 800 days since 276 schoolgirls of Government Secondary School, Chibok were abducted from their school by terrorists on 14 April 2014,” read the statement signed by Oby Ezekwesili, and Aisha Yesufu, leaders of the group.

“Fifty seven (57) of the schoolgirls escaped during the period. On May 18th one of our 219 schools girls in captivity – Amina Ali- was rescued  765 days after abduction through the joint effort of the Nigerian Military and the Civilian Joint Task Force, therefore leaving 218 still in terrorist stronghold.

“Today also marks 785 days since our movement, #BringBackOurGirls has been advocating for the safe rescue of our Chibok Girls, all other abducted citizens and an end to the insurgency.”

The group said the parents of Ali have been restricted from meeting their daughter who spent two years in captivity.

BBOG reminded Buhari of the promises he made to the girl, and also asked about the fate of the man who was said to have impregnated her.

The group said the public had a right to know how things had progressed since the girl regained freedom.

“On May 18, 2016, our Movement was elated at the rescue of Amina Ali as it rekindled the hope of all who have advocated for our schoolgirls that their rescue is possible,” the statement read.

“We recall that a number of promises were made at the reception held for Amima Ali and her family, by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The comforting word of the president was ‘Although we cannot do anything to reverse the horrors of her past, the federal government can and will do everything possible to ensure that the rest of her life takes a completely different course’.

“That promise set the standard of expectation for the rehabilitation, resettlement and reintegration of not only Amina Ali but her peers and other abducted citizens once they are rescued from terrorists.

“It is now more than one month since Ms. Ali was rescued and her avowed restoration process by the federal government as pledged by the president began.

“Having given reasonable length of time, our Movement has a number of concerns regarding Amina Ali as well as the rest of our ChibokGirls still in terrorist enclave.

“Can the Federal Government respond to the dissatisfaction expressed by the Chibok Community on the lack of access of their leaders to their daughter, Amina Ali since she was rescued? The federal government has a duty to do so!

“We consider the collaboration and partnership of the Community to which she belongs as extremely important for her full reintegration and therefore advise the federal government to reach out to and involve the Chibok Community in the welfare of the rescued school girl.

“Can the federal government transparently share with the public the programme of recovery being implemented for Amina Ali? The federal government has a duty to do so. The promise of the president that she will receive the best medical, psychosocial and all such care necessary for her wholesome restoration was very reassuring. 

“We however assert that one month after the promises were made, it is proper that the federal government should share what specific program is on-going for Ms. Ali’s, her child and her mother’s wellbeing. Extremely important to us are what plans have been made for her eventual return to complete her education.

“Can the federal government confirm to the public that a thorough intelligence debriefing was conducted with both Ms. Ali and the man, Mohammed Hayyatu who was in her company during her rescue? The Federal Government has a duty to do so! Were any useful information gathered that can fill the gap in credible evidence that Mr. President had adduced during our meeting on January 14, 2016 as the reason for non-rescue of our Chibok Girls? The public has a right to know without any compromise to intelligence details. The federal government has a duty to tell us.”