President Buhari received the released 82 Chibok girls in his residence at the Presidential Villa on Sunday.

The newly released 82 Chibok girls were on Sunday evening received by President Muhammadu Buhari in his residence at the Presidential Villa.

The girls who were driven into the villa in two luxury buses belonging to the Nigerian Army had earlier received medical attention at the DSS Medical Centre in Abuja.

However, the reception was an open event as had been expected by pressmen who had been waiting for the arrival of the girls at the Presidential Villa since mid-day. Only the crew of the Nigerian Television Authority were allowed into the President’s residence to witness the event.

Buhari speaking at the event

A press statement was later made available to the anxious reporters. The statement quoted President Buhari as saying: “This is a pleasant second anniversary gift to the people of Nigeria. I cannot express, in a few words, how happy I am to welcome our dear girls back to freedom.

“On behalf of all Nigerians, I will like to share my joy with you, your parents, your relatives, friends and Government of Borno State on regaining your freedom.

“The Federal Government will like to commend the security agencies, the Red Cross, local authorities, local and foreign NGOs and all those who contributed in one way or another to secure the release of our Chibok girls.”