The Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has received Ruth Ngladar Pogu, one of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted seven years ago at a Government Secondary School in Chibok in Maiduguri.
Ruth alongside a man she was said to have married during her captivity, surrendered themselves to the Nigerian military on July 28, 2021 in Bama.
Under the supervision of Governor Zulum, security and government officials kept the development confidential within the last 10 days to contact her parents and the Association of Parents of the missing schoolgirls in order to ascertain her identity.
Governor Zulum’s Spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, said the governor received the Chibok girl at the Government House, in the presence of the overwhelmed parents, who had reunited with her.
The excited Governor said reuniting with Ruth was a boost to keeping the hopes of parents, other family members and the Borno State alive.
He said he was optimistic that all the others still in captivity would be safely found in good health.
Governor Zulum said the governor, in collaboration with Ruth and her parents, would undertake a rehabilitation and reintegration programme that will focus on her health, psychosocial well being and her chosen path to a productive future, to be determined by her.
He is commiserating with families of those still in captivity and urged them to remain optimistic, prayerful and cooperative with security agencies should they be required for any measure.
“I am extremely excited both as Borno’s Governor and father of all sons and daughters of the state and also as a father to daughters. I know the feeling of families of those still under captivity but we have to remain hopeful especially with today’s development,” Governor Zulum said.
In the meantime, the Chairman of the Chibok Girls Movement, an association of all affected parents, Yakubu Keki, expressed joy over the return of Ruth Nglari Apagu.
He said the people of Chibok appreciated the efforts of the security establishments and the concern and support showed by Governor Zulum on the plight of parents whose daughters are still missing.
It will be recalled that Boko Haram had attacked the school towards midnight on April 14,2014, and abducted the schoolgirls.
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