Source: Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) |

Press Statement by Peter Lundberg, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator/ Humanitarian Coordinator a.i on the release of 82 Chibok girls

The United Nations welcomes the release of the 82 Chibok girls in northeastern Nigeria

Over 100 of these school girls are still unaccounted for

ABUJA, Nigeria, May 9, 2017/APO/ --

The United Nations welcomes the release of the 82 Chibok girls in northeastern Nigeria and appeals to all Nigerians, including the families and communities of the liberated girls, to fully embrace them and provide all necessary support to ensure their reintegration into society.  

Over 100 of these school girls are still unaccounted for, and the United Nations urges the international community to continue supporting the Government of Nigeria in its efforts to ensure the release, rehabilitation and reintegration of all the children, women and men who are victims of Boko Haram. 

Despite this encouraging news, insecurity continues to affect millions of people living in six states in north-eastern Nigeria amid a deepening humanitarian crisis. Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, where 8.5 million people are in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance and protection, are the most directly affected by conflict and mass forced displacement. The United Nations and partners are committed to supporting the Government of Nigeria to providing much needed relief to these vulnerable people. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).