Fact-finding committee meets security chiefs on the Abducted girls issue

Some girls in the video

The Presidential Fact-finding Committee on the schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on Wednesday met with security chiefs in continuation of its assignment.

Those met by the committee led by Gen. Ibrahim Sabo (retd.) included Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau (retd.); Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke; and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar.

A statement by the committee’s spokesman, Kingsley Osadolor, quoted Gusau, during the parley, as describing as unfortunate the mass kidnap of the schoolgirls.

He was said to have decried the advent of Boko Haram, noting that the sect should have been dealt with a long time ago.

The minister was further quoted to have pledged the support of his ministry to the realisation of the Committee’s objectives.

He also made what the committee described as useful suggestions, for which the Committee Chairman expressed gratitude.

In his opening remarks at the meeting with the NIA,  Sabo reiterated the borderless nature of terrorism, stressing the crucial role of the NIA in the fight against terror in general, and in scouring neighbouring countries in the immediate matter of the Chibok mass abduction.

“The incident (Chibok abduction) has awakened a new sense of humanity and collective pain to all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria,” the NIA boss said.

He briefed the Committee extensively on the measures taken so far by the agency in the joint intelligence and security efforts to locate the whereabouts of the kidnapped schoolgirls and ensure their safe reunion with their respective families.

“We will not know peace until these girls are found. We must agree as a people that this is the time to end the menace of Boko Haram,” he added.

At the session with the police, Abubakar was said to have explained the circumstances of the abduction and the immediate steps taken by the police.

He informed the Committee members of the on-going investigations and the pursuit of leads that might assist in securing freedom for the kidnapped schoolgirls.

He also articulated perspectives on the mass abduction, which the Committee members acknowledged would greatly facilitate their work.


Source: Punch