The Federal Government of Nigeria has responded to comments attributed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo that the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno state may never return, stating that he was free to hold whatever opinion he liked.
The response was made by the coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC) and director general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mike Omeri who spoke to newsmen in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Omeri said the Nigerian government is committed to bringing the girls home safe and alive.
He said: “Obasanjo is a respected man and a former president but I must say that he is entitle to his opinion and view. The government of Nigeria remains undistracted, focused and committed to rescuing the girls safe and alive.”
Omeri added that in the past six months, about two thousand people – military and security personnel, civilians and foreigners alike – have lost their lives to activities of the terrorists.
He went ahead to appeal to the general public and groups alike to stop distracting the government from carrying out its responsibilities, including the rescue of the Chibok girls.
“The efforts at inciting the populace against the government and her agencies is to say the least, very unfortunate. It is necessary to caution those involved that there is a clear difference between credible civil agitation and subversive preoccupation,” he added.
