Mr Stephen O’Brien, the UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, on Wednesday expressed delight over the rescue of one of the abducted Chibok girls.
O’Brien stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.
“I am absolutely delighted to hear the news today and I hope this becomes signal to the success of rescuing not just the remaining Chibok girls but the other hundreds and thousands of girls and boys and others who have been abducted and made to either take up arms as young boys or sold into slavery as sex workers,” he said.
O’Brien said that her rescue would help in building parents’ confidence on the possible return of the rest of the abducted girls.
“I think it is very important to recognise how much this will go in building the peoples confidence,” he said.
O’Brien said government must take immediate steps towards rehabilitating her.
“We must make sure that in her own interest that she is given a space, appropriate care, attention and treatment that she will need as well as the long term support that she will need.
“This is a very very important to show people that there is a hope for the future that you can work for a long period of time seeking protection of Humanitarian needs of the people even though they are affected by most brutal conflict and by terrible action of people who have caused fear among communities,” he said.
O’Brien, who visited Dalori Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri as well as some host communities in Konduga Local Government Area (LGA), said he was shocked at the level of destruction by the Boko Haram terrorist in the state.
“Absolutely it is necessary that we do everything we can for the people to be able to return to their homes safely,” he said.
O’Brien commended Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno for his commitment towards solving the humanitarian crisis in the state.
“The best way to relieve the sufferings is for all of us to work in partnership and I was very impressed that Borno State and the Federal Government have a clear plan to re-secure these areas and make sure that their needs are taken care of especially in terms of medical treatents for the wounded etc,” he said.