President Goodluck Jonathan has charged the Fact-Finding Committee on the abduction of over 2000 girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State to stay within its terms of reference.
He gave the charged on Tuesday while inaugurating the Committee being chaired by a former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), Brig Gen. Ibrahim Sabo (rtd) at the State House.
The President also reminded members that the committee is neither a Judicial nor an Administrative Panel.
The committee is expected among other things to ascertain among other things, the actual number of girls abducted.
President Jonathan said the committee’s work would not stop the ongoing search operation being carried out by security agencies.
“The operation of the security and intelligence services will continue to intensify until our daughters are rescued and brought safely home to their families.
“It is not an administrative panel set up by federal government or a judicial committee. I must make that very clear because those are the responsibilities of the state and not that of the federal government,” Jonathan said.
Justifying the setting up of the committee further, President Jonathan said it was necessary, adding that it was not a thing of joy for him to perform the inauguration of such a committee.
He said, “I am appreciative of the fact that this sad incident has attracted global outrage. This is a clear testimony to the fact that humanity can come together and stand as one against evil no matter how it is presented.
“This is the time when we must dwell together beyond all political, religious or regional divide against our common enemy. We must remain vigilant and be ready to assist security agencies and authorities at all time.
“We must keep supporting the families whom for seeking education for their daughters are undergoing untold pains at this moment. Let me assure the families and our dear daughters that in conjunction with international community that government will do everything possible to get our girls back.
“We share your pain and suffering and are with you in prayers. We urge you to cooperate with the investigations in spite of your understandably difficult situation. We implore you to remain strong,” he added.
The President told the committee members to stay within the terms of reference, reminding them that the whole world is watching since the abduction has been greeted by outrage across the world.
“The whole world is watching you because that is why we made sure that an information officer is attached to you. Because I believe you will be speaking to the world every six hours or at least once a day as to the progress of the committee,” President Jonathan added.
The President used the occasion to again, reassured participants at the World Economic Forum for Africa (WEFA) which kicks off in Abuja on Wednesday that there would be adequate security.
He said, “We have our challenges just like every other country has but we must surely make sure that the World Economic Forum for Africa goes on without any hitch”.
