by Isi Esene

The #BringBackOurGirls groyp which has agitated for the release of over 200 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State have reacted to news of a ceasefire agreed upon between the Boko Haram Islamic sect and the Federal Government.

Reports indicate the deal which was struck in the Gulf country of Saudi Arabia included an agreement which will see the Chibok girls back home safely with their family.

In a statement released today, the #BringBackOurGirls Abuja Movement welcomed the development but vowed to continue their agitation until the kidnapped girls return home safely.

It also called on the Federal Government to secure the release of others kidnapped by the deadly Islamic militant group after the Chibok girls were abducted.

Read the full statement signed by former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili and others below:

Local and International news media have been agog with news that the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Boko Haram sect have reached a ceasefire, which also includes the release of the 219 abducted Chibok girls. While we await official confirmation from our President over this development, we are extremely anxious but cautiously optimistic that the abducted Chibok girls will be released swiftly or at least in a matter of days.

Beyond the release of the Chibok girls, we call on the FG to also ensure the release of all other Nigerians and non-Nigerians that have been abducted by the sect before and after the Chibok girls were kidnapped.

We hope that the ceasefire will allow for dialogue, peace and an atmosphere that will promote the rapid development of the North East Sector while continuing to prioritize the education of children, especially girls.

Early evidence of the workings of the ceasefire will help considerably to boost public confidence. So we encourage the FG to  release  as much information as is possible, within reasonable constraints

The #BringBackOurGirls Abuja Movement will continue to monitor the situation and provide any update as events unfold. We thank all our partners and supporters globally who’ve supported the movement since inception and continue to do so till date.

As promised on April 30, 2014, we will not stop our campaign until our Girls are Back and Alive.

Isime Esene