The World Methodist Council expresses its grave concern for the welfare of the 105 school girls abducted on the 19th of February from Government Girls Science and Technical School in Dapchi Town, Yobe State, Nigeria. It condemns the actions of the Boko Haram insurgents which carried out the attack, the same sect that in 2014 abducted more than 415 Chibok girls.
The Methodist people all over the world received this sad news with shock and wondered how could another abduction take place again? The abduction of these young school girls is a wicked act, appalling, inhuman and a debasement of their dignity and self worth, suffering at the hands of their abductors.
As we commend the Federal minister of information Lai Mohammed and the Governor of the State – Ibrahim Gaidam, for visiting Dapchi and meeting with the parents and relatives of the abducted girls, we call on the the President Mr Mohammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Security Agencies to seek out the culprits, rescue the innocent girls and take preventative measures to protect the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens.
The Church stands in solidarity with the Parents, relatives and people of Dapchi and commends them to the Lord God in prayers at this trying and challenging times.
We call on the international community as matter of urgency to condemn in strong terms the abduction and to assist Nigeria in dealing with Boko Haram insurgents.
Most Rev Dr Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, DOB, JP, TFG
Chair, Social & International Affairs Committee of the World Methodist Council
