I'm delighted as a father with the release of 82 more girls - Saraki

Sakari made the commendation in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu.

He expressed delight at the development, saying that the prayers and well-wishes of Nigerians and the global community had led to the return of “more of our daughters.’’

“As a father, I can’t help but feel delighted and excited at the release of the 82 schoolgirls.

“When they were taken from us, the whole world joined in demanding for their return.

“Now, it is a testament to the tenacity and commitment of the Federal Government, led by Mr President that they are back with us, and will soon be reunited with their families."

Other dignitaries have commended the Federal Government for securing the release of 82 students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, from the Boko Haram insurgents.

They described the release as a welcome development and yet another feat achieved by the Buhari Administration.

The 82 school girls who were abducted by the militants more than three years ago, were released after negotiation with the militants.

This brings to 103 the girls already freed by the insurgents.

The first batches of 21 were freed last October with the aid of the Red Cross and Switzerland.

Two others walked into freedom on their own, making 105 girls out of the Boko Haram clutches.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also hailed the federal government for securing the release of the schoolgirls.

The National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim said: “ACF is delighted at the News of the release and we commend the Federal Government’’.

“And the security Agencies for securing the release of those girls and urged them to keep it up so that the rest of the girls will be secured, we hope also they will be released,’’ Ibrahim said.

Also, the Yoruba Youth Socio-cultural Association (YYSA), commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and the Nigerian Army for the rescue of more than hundred Chibok girls in less than two years.

The association’s President, Mr Habib, said that the president had not failed to fulfill his campaign promises to retrieve the abducted Chibok girls.

It said this development had further demonstrated that the Buhari administration was sincerely winning the war against the insurgents.

On her part, Mrs Angela Odah of the Centre for Gender Education, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), called on federal government to provide “psychological treatment and counseling’’ for the rescued girls.

Odah, who is the Chief Press Secretary of the association, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to her, urgent psychological treatment and counseling will help to ascertain the mental condition of the girls as well as help to stabilise their emotions.

She described the release of the abducted girls a welcome development but stressed the need for proper machinery to be put in place such as a Trauma Centre for the victims.

She said reintegrating the released girls into the society would be a tool in restoring their dignity.

“There is need for therapy and psychological support for the girls and their parents.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure that the girls are reintegrated and also returned to their schools.

Mr Tosin Adeyanju, the Executive Director of Conscience Nigeria, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), also commended the release of the schoolgirls.

Adeyanju described the efforts that led to their release as commendable, as well as the right steps in the right direction.

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He said that all the people and institutions responsible for the release of the girls had earned the commendation of the CSOs.

“Basically, it is a total commendation for the Presidency, the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) and initiators of the bargain that led to the release.

“I must commend the Director-General of DSS for this kind of breakthrough that he has been able to achieve silently without making noise.

“Terriorism is a global issue and to Nigeria it is a new thing to us and we are learning to curb it.

“By and large, this administration has made efforts to rescue this abducted Chibok girls, so I don’t think it is ever late.

“Their return is a big relief to their parents and the country,’’ Adeyanju said.

The Coal City Literary Foundation also hailed the release of the schoolgirls.

The President of the foundation, Dr Adaobi Nwoye, made the commendation in Enugu.

Nwoye described the development as a `monumental feat’ achieved by the Buhari-led administration.

“I was happy when I heard the news this morning. We pray that God will continue to strengthen government’s efforts at the release of these children,’’ she said.