by Akan Ido

Abba Moro, the Minister of Interior has reiterated the efforts of the Federal Governor at securing the release of over 200 schoolgirls abducted in April from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

Moro who was responding to questions from newsmen over the weekend in Makurdi, Benue State explained that it is irresponsible to put a date to the release of the girls but this will be achieved soon.

According to him, Nigeria is collaborating with its foreign partners to engage the insurgents and arrive at a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

He said, “The true picture in Nigeria as far as insurgency in the North east is concerned is that the war on Nigeria by the terrorists is still on.

“And, of course, from on the onset of this crisis, government had indicated tackling the insurgency on three fronts: point of engagement, point of consultation and point of containment.

“And so, consultations definitely will continue: And don’t forget that because of the prolonged nature of the insurgency, a lot activities are going on, both at the level of government and the level of the insurgents. So now, the insurgents are divided into various sectors especially with the death of their leader, Shekau.

“However, at the moment, our foreign partners and collaborators are helping and collaborating with Nigeria to arrive at a peaceful resolution of the matter and to bring the insurgency to an end.

“And one of the issues on the table in arriving to an end to the crisis is the release of the Chibok girls. It is one issue at stake as part of the resolution of the crisis.

“But for anybody to put a date on the release of the Chibok girls, that person is just being speculative, but we will certainly get there soon”.

Isime Esene