President Goodluck Jonathan has said that he is happy that there are no reports of the missing girls being hurt by their abductors.
He made the statement during a media chat with journalists that was broadcast on television and monitored by our reporter.
The President said, “From the day the girls were kidnapped, the security personnel have been checking everywhere. Nigerians may not have noticed a movement of troops because soldiers were already in place in Borno due to heightened insecurity in the state.
He added, “I am happy that there is no news of any of the girls being hurt. I express my sympathy with the parents of the girls and assure that we will get their daughters out.”
The President stated that he had sent for and met with the Borno State Governor, Borno Commissioner of Education, Principal of the school, and that his security chiefs have more information that will lead to the safe return of the girls.
The President stated that there was no negotiation with anyone for the return of the girls as no one had claimed ownership for the kidnapping.
“We cannot negotiate with people we do not know. Nobody has claimed ownership for the kidnapping.” The President also said that army troops had been searching forests and other areas for the girls but nothing had come up.
He said some advisers had said it would be counterproductive to storm the Sambisa forest as the terrorists may escape and blend in with the local population, causing more damage. Besides other advisers noted it could lead to the death of the girls if indeed they were still being held in the forest.