The #BringBackBackOurGirls (#BBOG) Campaign Group and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have welcomed news of the release, today, 21 of the over 200 Chibok girls abducted in mid-April 2014 by Boko Haram terrorists.

In a statement jointly signed by #BBOG co-conveners, Oby Ezekwesili and Aisha Yesufu, the group said that the “wonderful development” confirms what it has always known about the activity of the government to rescue the Chibok girls.

The group said that while it awaits further details, it salutes the work of the nation’s security services at the front lines: its commitment, resilience and tireless efforts of the members of the Multi-National Joint Task Force and the Civilian JTF.

The group also thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss government and all negotiators involved in securing the release.

It, however, urged the international community to continue to support the government’s effort to rescue all other abducted Nigerians, so that parents, the Chibok community, the nation, and the world at large can finally put an end to the nightmare once and for all.

As for the NUJ, it bared its mind on the development in statement issued in Abuja by the National Secretary Shuaibu Usman Leman. The union while commending the federal government for the feat, urged that such effort should be sustained till all the girls were freed.

Below is the statement, entitled ‘Chibok Girls, a Welcome Relief’: “The National Leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has welcomed with much relief, the release of 21 out of the over 200 Chibok girls held in captivity by Boko Haram since they were abducted from their school in Chibok on April 14, 2014.

“This development, as we learned, is as a result of the Federal Government’s determination to secure the release of the girls through negotiations initiated by the Department of State Security Service, a friendly foreign government and a renown international humanitarian organisation.

“The Union believes that with this development, Government will not relent in its resolve to secure the release of the remaining girls to enable them reunite with their families. Indeed, all hands must be on deck to ensure the release of every single Nigerian in captivity with Boko Haram.

“It is pertinent to commend the determination and tenacity of the Federal Government in this regards and to urge all Nigerians to extend to Government the desired support to achieve a lasting peace in the North East.

“We equally appeal to Boko Haram, which has shown this sign of goodwill, to cease their activities and embrace peace.”

•Additional reports by Channels TV. Photo shows the some of the abducted Chibok girls as appeared in a Boko Haram video.

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