Rescue of Chibok Girls: We Are Trying to Avoid the Chechnya Experience, Says Presidency

The need to avoid a repeat of the 2004 experience when three hundred children were killed in an attempt by Russians  to free hostages held by Chechens in the North Caucasus region of Russia was responsible for the seemingly slow process of freeing over two hundred school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state, Nigeria.

This indication was  given Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe at a Chatham House lecture series held at the Royal institute of international Affairs in London.

Okupe who spoke on the topic Priorities and Progress in Nigeria: Imperatives for stability and Growth,   said the Nigerian military and other security agencies as well as their international allies are well able to secure the freedom of the kidnapped girls from their abductors,  but would rather weigh all options to ensure that they are brought back alive to reunite with their families.