The Presidential Committee on the Rescue of the Abducted Chibok School Girls has been described as belated by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). The committee headed by retired Brig.-Gen Ibrahim Sabo was inaugurated at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Reacting to the development, ACF said this afternoon in a statement issued in Kaduna by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim: “Although the Federal Government has acted belatedly, it is a good development considering the general outrage and protests by women organisations, civil societies and the general public on its earlier inaction posture.”

According to the statement, “ACF had earlier called on the Government to make concerted effort towards the safe rescue and release of the abducted girls from their captors.

“ACF therefore urges the Committee to swing into action, collaborate with Borno State government and security agencies to immediately rescue the kidnapped female students. ACF appreciates the assistance being offered to Nigeria by the United States of America, Britain, China and other countries to rescue the abducted girls.

“ACF equally shares the grief, plight and concern of the parents, relations and all Nigerians in this traumatic experience and pray for the safe release of these innocent girls.”

•Photo shows President Goodluck Jonathan (L) shaking hands with the Chairman, Presidential Committee on the Rescue of the Abducted Chibok School Girls, Brig.-Gen Ibrahim Sabo after the inauguration of the committee at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Tuesday.