TheCable

The federal government says it is prioritising efforts to secure the release of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

On April 14, 2014, 276 schoolgirls were abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok town, Borno.

The ministry of women affairs said 122 girls have been rescued by the government while 97 are still in captivity. Fifty-seven escaped on their own.

During a prayer meeting on Friday marking the abduction of the girls, Pauline Tallen, minister of women affairs, asked Nigerians to keep their hope alive.

Tallen said some of the released girls went through de-radicalisation and were part of the rehabilitation and reintegration programmes designed by the ministry.

The programme was funded by the federal government and international partners with a committee headed by Vice-President Yemi Oshinbajo.

The minister added that the released girls were enrolled into the American University, Yola, and were involved in a special programme meant to help them cover lost sessions on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking at the prayer meeting, Aliyu Shinkafi, permanent secretary, said the government was committed to bringing the remaining girls held captive safely to their families.

Represented by Idris Muhammed, director, economic services, Shinkafi said rehabilitating the rescued girls and taking care of their needs were of utmost priority to the federal government.

Earlier, Salome Pogu, one of the rescued 122 Chibok school girls, in tears, thanked the minister and federal government for their efforts.

She appealed to the minister and the federal Government to facilitate the release of the remaining girls in captivity.