I have had to remain quiet about the continuing efforts by Nigeria\u2019s
\nmilitary, police and investigators to find the girls kidnapped in April
\nfrom the town of Chibok by the terrorist group Boko Haram. I am deeply
\nconcerned, however, that my silence as we work to accomplish the task at
\nhand is being misused by partisan critics to suggest inaction or even
\nweakness.<\/p>\n
My silence has been necessary to avoid compromising the details of our
\ninvestigation. But let me state this unequivocally: My government and our
\nsecurity and intelligence services have spared no resources, have not
\nstopped and will not stop until the girls are returned home and the thugs
\nwho took them are brought to justice. On my orders, our forces have
\naggressively sought these killers in the forests of northern Borno state,
\nwhere they are based. They are fully committed to defending the integrity
\nof their country.<\/p>\n
My heart aches for the missing children and their families. I am a parent
\nmyself, and I know how awfully this must hurt. Nothing is more important
\nto me than finding and rescuing our girls.<\/p>\n
Since 2010, thousands of people have been killed, injured, abducted or
\nforced by Boko Haram, which seeks to overwhelm the country and impose its
\nideology on all Nigerians. My government is determined to make that
\nimpossible. We will not succumb to the will of terrorists.<\/p>\n
The abduction of our children cannot be seen as an isolated event.
\nTerrorism knows no borders. This month, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad,
\nNiger, Britain and the United States established an External Intelligence
\nResponse Unit to share security information on such threats in West
\nAfrica. I propose that we build on this step to establish an enduring,
\nworldwide commitment to destroying terrorism and those who finance or give
\nsafe haven to the terrorists.<\/p>\n
In September, I will urge the U.N. General Assembly to establish a
\nU.N.-coordinated system for sharing intelligence and, if necessary,
\nspecial forces and law enforcement to confront terrorism wherever it
\noccurs.<\/p>\n
In Nigeria, there are political, religious and ethnic cleavages to
\novercome if we are to defeat Boko Haram. We need greater understanding and
\noutreach between Muslims and Christians. We also know that, as it seeks to
\nrecruit the gullible, Boko Haram exploits the economic disparities that
\nremain a problem in our country. We are addressing these challenges
\nthrough such steps as bringing stakeholders together and creating a safe
\nschools initiative, a victims\u2019 support fund and a presidential economic
\nrecovery program for northeastern Nigeria. We are also committed to
\nridding our country of corruption and safeguarding human and civil rights
\nand the rule of law.<\/p>\n
Something positive can come out of the situation in Nigeria: most
\nimportant, the return of the Chibok girls, but also new international
\ncooperation to deny havens to terrorists and destroy their organizations
\nwherever they are \u2014 whether in the forests of Nigeria, on the streets of
\nNew York or sanctuaries in Iraq or Pakistan. Those who value humanity ,
\ncivilization and the innocence of children can do no less.<\/p>\n
The Washington Post<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have had to remain quiet about the continuing efforts by Nigeria\u2019s military, police and investigators to find the girls kidnapped in April from the town of Chibok by the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n