Chibok, Maiduguri agog over the release of 82 girls

Residents of Maiduguri and Chibok, the hometown of the 82 school girls released by Boko Haram last Saturday, woke up to jubilation yesterday over reports that the girls were to be delivered to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

Sources from Chibok said the entire town partied, with Churches getting filled to brim for different sessions of the Sunday services in expression of gratitude to God for “the bountiful harvest of release of our daughters from the hands of their abductors.

“Our joy is unquantifiable; we are most grateful to God most high for this day, and will continue to pray fervently for the release of the remaining 103,” Mrs Yana Galam, the leader of the mothers of the abducted girls, said as she boarded a vehicle to Abuja.

Residents of Maiduguri also expressed joy yesterday, when they heard about release of 82 Chibok girls from their abductors on Saturday night.

By reporting time, the Chairman of Chibok Local Government Area, Mr Yaga Yarakawa, could not be reached for comments.

The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria Borno state Chapter, described yesterday Sunday Service as the most memorable and joyous in his life time due to the release of the 82 Chibok girls after 3 years in captivity.

The Chairman Chibok Girls Parents Association, Yakubu Nkeki said the parents were already on their ways to Abuja to meet with their daughters.

The Borno Elders Forum yesterday described reports of the release of 82 Chibok school girls from the Boko Haram insurgents as a good omen.

Dr Mali Gubio, the Secretary of the forum told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that credit must go to President Muhammad Buhari.

“We are extremely happy to hear the news on the release of the girls; we are grateful to God for showing us this day.

“We believe that it is time the abductors release all the people in their custody; I think they have no reason to keep holding them for no just cause,” he said.