There has been a lot of jubilation over the release of 82 girls abducted by the Boko Haram terrorist group from the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State in April 2014. After three years in captivity, these girls are finally free from their abductors to be reunited with their families and hopefully, to live as normal lives as they can.

This release brings the total number of girls released by the group to 103 out of the 276 abducted – about 60 escaped from captivity at various times, leaving 113 girls still in the captivity of the terrorists.

Kudos must be given to the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari who pledged to ensure the release of the girls, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who brokered the deal that saw some Boko Haram commanders released in exchange for the girls, and individuals such as Maiduguri-based lawyer, Mustapha Zanna.

Although there are differing opinions on why negotiations had to be carried out with the terrorists, it has to be said that the priority is getting the girls back. The situation is far from ideal, but we cannot afford to be stuck on methods while these girls continue to be in the hands of terrorists.

The battle is not over – there are still 113 girls that are being held by the terrorists, in addition to likely hundreds of other women, girls and boys whose abductions have not got the limelight that has been given to that of the Chibok schoolgirls.

We cannot and should not put differing values on the lives of Nigerian citizens and the government must do all it can to have everyone that has been abducted by the terrorists released.

Also, now that the girls have been freed, the same amount of efforts put into securing their freedom must be put into rehabilitating them and integrating them back into society. After three years in captivity, they have likely suffered traumas that we can only imagine; some of them were likely sex slaves. Their psychological and psychiatric rehabilitation must be a priority.

The Federal Government should not commit again the error of parading them everywhere like some sort of trophy – rather, it should ensure that they get the best psychological and psychiatric help available and plenty of rest.

There is also need for the girls to be reunited with their families as soon as possible. The rumours that the 21 girls released in December are still yet to be released to their families and that they have essentially become prisoners of the state must be immediately addressed. While their current situation may not be the normalcy that they have been craving, we must all remember that the psycological and mental rehabilitation of these girls is extremely important. However, it is important that we hear of their experiences; at least, this will go a long way in dispelling conspiracy theories that still surround the abduction.

Lastly, the education of these girls must continue for as far as they want to. We owe them that. Not doing so will be succumbing to defeat by the Boko Haram terrorists who see modern education as un-Islamic, especially for girls. The dreams of these young girls must not be truncated by this unfortunate experience of theirs, and the government must ensure that they are put back in school as soon as possible.

In the coming days and weeks, we look forward to more good news of the release and rescue of more abductees of the Boko Haram terrorist group and its eventual defeat.