‪Chibok: Group Faults Dame Jonathan, Demands Apology

SAN FRANCISCO, May 08, (THEWILL) â€' A women rights group, BAOBAB, has faulted what it described as the over-bearing posture of First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan in the Chibok abduction issue, demanding apology from her for doubting the parents that the abduction ever took place.

The demand was made in a statement signed by its Borno State coordinator, Prof. Hauwa Abdu Biu, who also asked the Federal Government to come out with adequate plans to cater for the needs of the parents and address their trauma.

'BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights, Borno State outreach condemns in its totality the actions of the wife of Nigerian President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on concerns shown by people within and outside Nigeria on the abduction of innocent girls,' the statement said.

It added: This act of criminality, as we are aware violates their fundamental human right to education. A situation when the wife of the president who does not have a role under the Nigerian constitution begins to summon and interrogate duly appointed government officials as well as giving them directives and detaining some of them is worrisome as this could interfere with the various actions put in place towards addressing insurgency crisis rocking the country.'

The group also called on the Federal Government to fast-track all efforts being made to rescue the missing school girls from their Boko Haram abductors.

'We want them back, safe in their homes wherever they are. The poor handling of information about the exact number of girls who are still missing and the fact that members of the Boko Haram have claimed responsibility for their abduction must not deter those with the responsibility for the safety of all Nigerians from working to find them,'the statement said further.

BAOBAB however applauded the effort of various women organisations within and outside the country, religious bodies, local and foreign media in the bid to secure the release of the girls.