TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari says “he will not fall for the antics of fraudsters who have been asking the federal government for money to negotiate the release of the Chibok girls.”

According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, Buhari said this while receiving the primate and archbishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at the state house, on Friday.

The president said his administration would continue to insist on a thorough authentication of the identities of persons or groups claiming to have custody of the girls before entering into negotiations with them.

He, however, assured the Anglican bishops of his steadfast commitment to the rescue of the victims, saying their safe return would be one of his greatest fulfilments in office as president.

Buhari also assured the clerics that the federal government would give maximum attention to the clean-up of Ogoniland which was launched on Thursday.

‘‘We inherited the United Nations Environmental Project report from the previous administration. We decided it needed urgent attention, in spite of the economic crunch because of our concern for the welfare and environmental comfort of the people of Ogoniland,’’ he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Nicholas Okoh pledged the support of the church in helping the federal government achieve its objectives of improving security and the welfare of Nigerians.