THREE DAYS OF FASTING AND PRAYER DECLARE IN BORNO, PARENTS OF ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS STORM GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Parents of abducted Chibok girls stormed the Maiduguri Governemt House on Friday, demanding for the release of about 300 girls being held by the Boko Haram Islamists.
The parents led by Mr. Alabe Ndirmbula under the Kibaku Development Association, (KADA) told Governor Shettima that they were in the government house to express their grievances.
The group, who thanked the governor for his concern also said government needed to do more as parents of the abducted girls were running mad.
He said they came with a letter, which they hoped the governor would pass it on their behalf to Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
While responding, Governor Shettima thanked the people for their patience at this trying moment, asking them to continue to pray as God will surely bring back the girls in safety.
He said the state is declaring three days prayer and fasting beginning from Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and hoped that the God of justice would work miracle and return the girls safely back home.
Shetima said it is disheartening that people are playing politics with the abduction of the Chibok girls.
He expressed sadness that persons who are not in Maiduguri were making unfortunate statement and even questioning the abduction of the school girls.
“For God’s sake, we can not just cook up a story for anything, I am disappointed by the unfortunate statement from our leaders”, he said.
The Governor, who received their letters promised to forward it to Mr. President and all those concerned for their action.
While speaking, a former commissioner for women affairs, Dr. Hauwa Maimusa told newsmen that they were in the government house to press for the release of their daughters.
She said the whole issue is being dramatized as politics is taking the place of realities on ground.
“All we want is for government to be serious, our governor has tried his best, but as far as this situation is concerned, he is not the man in charge but the President.
“As such, we are calling on Mr. President to show commitment by whatever means possible to bring back our girls.
“We are aware of the assistance coming from other countries; that is a welcome idea, but more than that, the President most show us that he is a President and he should stand as one in the challenging times of our nationhood.
“Today, the crises is Borno and Chibok, tomorrow it would be another place, we are calling on all Nigerians to join us and press on government to act speedily”, Hauwa said.