The Senate had during Tuesday plenary which was presided by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, commended the Swiss Government, Federal Government of Nigeria and the International Red Cross Society for negotiating the release of 21 Chibok girls.
In a motion of urgent national interest which was raised by Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, he recalled that 21 out of over 200 girls abducted by the insurgents have been released. He reminded the Senate that he personally visited them in their Thanksgiving Service in Abuja on Sunday and wept when they sighted him and began to sing Christian songs.
“Mr President, distinguished colleagues, apart from sending a delegation to see them, I visited them during their Thanksgiving, and when the saw me, they raised a Christian song that got me weeping,” Ndume stressed.
He added that he was happy that despite the trauma they passed through, they were in high spirit, noting that when he asked them what they wanted, they pleaded that the Nigeria Air Force should be careful in aerial bombing so that the remaining girls would not be killed.
Reacting, Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP) representing Ekiti North Senatorial District cautioned the federal government to ensure that some of those girls would not go back since they were going back to their community, and that besides, no one could ascertain their level of radicalization.
Senator Munsirat Sunmonu representing Oyo Central noted that relevant Committee should work with the executive arm to rehabilitate the girls.
In his remark, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu praised the government and particularly, Shehu Sani in the negotiation, while calling on government to be consistent in further negotiations for the release of others still in captivity.
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