Tobias Sylvester
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, vowed not to rest until he secures the freedom of all children and other victims abducted by Boko Haram terrorists in the country.
Buhari made the vow in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during a high level breakfast dialogue on “Stop the War on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts, Dividend of Silencing the Guns”, an event on the sidelines of the 33rd AU summit.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari said his administration will not relent until everyone in the custody of the insurgents group regain freedom.
”A number of schoolgirls from Chibok and Dapchi earlier abducted by Boko Haram have regained their freedom,” Buhari said.
”We commend the gallant efforts of the MultiNational Joint Task Force and the partners in supporting the reintegration of the girls.
”Let me categorically reassure you of the steadfast commitment of the Government of Nigeria to ensure the freedom of all kidnapped children from the shackles of Boko Haram.
”We will not relent until every child, boy, or girl, every Nigerian adult in custody of Boko Haram, is freed!
”It is for this reason that the Nigerian government has severally condemned, and is combating frontally the dreadful activities of terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the so-called Islamic State.”
Buhari urged African countries and stakeholders on the continent to work fervently towards strengthening the protection of children from the six grave violations during armed conflict.
He also expressed concern that these grave violations against children have continued unabated.
The six grave violations are killing and maiming of children, recruitment or use of children as soldiers, sexual violence against children, abduction of children, attacks against schools or hospitals and denial of humanitarian access for children.
This is coming barely 24 hours after Boko Haram insurgents killed over 30 civilians and kidnapped many travellers who were stranded outside the military entrance city gate in Auno town, Konduga local government area of Borno state.
