Abducted Chibok girl rescued after nine years

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, received Rebecca Kabu, one of the 277 Chibok schoolgirls who were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014.

The First Lady who received Rebecca along with the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, promised to ensure that Rebecca was well taken care of medically and fit to return to school willingly.

Mrs Tinubu, while promising that the remaining girls in captivity are not forgotten, appreciated the office of the National Security Adviser, National Intelligence Agency and other security agencies and those who were involved in Rebecca’s rescue.

She said, “Cases of amnesia should be treated; it is difficult to get by, but since you are still here, God has plans for you. I thank the office of the NSA and NIA for not relenting and everyone that is assisting in her rehabilitation.

“Rebecca will be our first comeback story and returnee; she is our first fruit; she is a case I am quite interested in to see that she can go back to school at her own pace.’’

The First Lady stated that her NGO, Renewed Hope Initiative, was working hard to help adult girls who had been driven out of school return to school for a great education.

Rebecca would be one of the first to benefit from her generosity, she assured.

Tinubu stated that if the younger generation is properly educated, they will be able to fit into society and inherit the positive legacy that the older generation has left behind.

 “Earlier, I talked to the NSA representative about cases of alternative high school where girls like Rebecca can go back and learn at their pace, because education is important for her and others.

“They need education as tool for the market place, to be able to understand and manage the inheritance and legacies that shall be handed to them.”

Rebecca responded in hushed tones, telling the first lady that she could barely understand English, but the first lady consoled her, stating that she would overcome the challenge.

Previously, Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa, the Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Centre, NSA, stated that Rebecca, who was abducted at the age of 13 in 2014 and is now 22 years old, was rescued by government security forces on July 17.

He stated that the returnee was medically and mentally fit to be reunited with her parents in Zana village, Borno state.

He stated that the NSA office would follow up and offer her case, along with the 15 other rescued girls, for Federal Government education assistance.