Youths urge FG to secure release of remaining students

The Lagos State Coordinator of BYO, Mr Abdulwaheed Odunuga, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Odunuga, who spoke against the backdrop of the recently-freed 21 Chibok school girls abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists in 2014, said government should spare no effort to ensure the release of others.

“Following the release of 21 out of the over 200 Chibok school girls abducted by Boko Haram terrorists, we are calling for more speed to ensure release of the remaining girls.

“While commending the Federal Government for its efforts, we urge the government and the international community not to relent in their efforts in ensuring the release of other girls.

“The government must do all within its powers to also ensure that all other abducted Nigerians are released to enable them reunite with their family members,’’ he said.

He commended the determination of the security agencies, international communities and the “Bring Back Our Girls Campaign Group’’ to secure the release of these girls.

The coordinator, however, urged governments at all level to come up with strategies that would prevent people from being lured into terrorism.

According to him, terrorism cannot be totally eradicated but the risks could be reduced if governments improve on the welfare of its citizens.

He called on the Federal Government to embark on massive literacy campaigns and enlightenment.

NAN reports that 21 of more than 200 Nigerian girls kidnapped from a school in Chibok, Borno, by Boko Haram fighters in 2014, were released on Thursday.

Their release followed negotiations between Nigeria’s government and Boko Haram brokered by the Red Cross and Swiss Government officials.