Now Is The Time To Rescue Our Abducted School Girls, Says Kwankwaso

Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano state has said now is the time for Nigerians, especially political leaders, to bury their differences and work collectively to ensure that the 234 girls abducted from their hostels in a Girls' Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state, are found and returned to their parents.

 
His words: “I believe this is the time to call on all of us to support Nigeria, this is the time to bury all our differences, especially those that are being created by politicians, to come and support this country. These young girls that were been abducted are not only Muslims or only Christians. And this is the time for all of us also, to close ranks and ensure that these young girls are identified and returned to their parents and to the school.”

 
The governor stated this when he received members of the Kano State Civil Society Forum who protested to the Government House, today, Wednesday, paid to express their sadness over the nonchalant attitude of Federal Government in addressing the issue of the abducted girls 16 days ago as well as to deliver a letter for onward presentation to President Goodluck Jonathan.

 
“I am sure the message especially in the last few days is very clear to the leadership in Abuja (Presidency). May be they do not understand the gravity of the issue. People are beginning to understand the calamity that has befallen our country, Nigeria. It is our collective responsibility to check the trend, to stop it and ensure that every child of school age goes to school without any fear”, Kwankwaso stated.

 
“We are as concerned and as worried as you are, we feel very sad as parents, we feel as sad as members of the (Chibok) community and we feel very sad as leaders of this state and by extension leaders in the country” he added.

 
The governor stressed that it is the responsibility of any government not only in this country but all over the world to protect lives and properties, to ensure freedom of speech and freedom of movement, adding that his administration, on its part, will continue to guaranty citizens' rights within its limit.

 
Governor Kwankwaso, who expressed grief over the unfortunate incident, told the civil society groups that their letter would be delivered to the President within 24 hours in view of the gravity of the matter.

 
In his remarks, Barr A. B. Mahmoud (SAN), said that if Nigeria cannot address the case of the abducted girls, it should seek assistance from other countries, pointing out that the abduction of 234 girl students is a national disaster. He expressed hope that the authorities concerned would be providing accurate information to Nigerians on the matter until the kidnapped girls are rescued.

 
In their respective speeches, the chairman of the Forum, Malam Bala Abdullahi and a mother, Barr. Amina Hanga lamented that the case of the abducted girls is traumatic to their parents and other well-meaning Nigerians, appealing to the state governor, whom they described as a credible, fearless and honest leader to ensure that federal government takes appropriate action towards bringing this agony to an end.