The Federal Government, on Tuesday, received 106 Chibok girls, who underwent a medical examination at the medical facility of the Department of State Service (DSS), Abuja, after their release from Boko Haram captivity.
They were received on behalf of the Federal Government by Mrs. Jumai Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, at a rehabilitation center located opposite Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters. In attendance at the center were officials of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
The girls were handed over under heavy security provided by the DSS.
Facilities at the rehabilitation center include hostel accommodation, four classrooms, medical clinic and psycho-social therapy unit.
According to Mrs. Alhassan, the process of rehabilitation the girls are scheduled to undergo will last until September, when they will return to school. She added that the girls are being kept at the center with their parents’ consent, explaining that if any desires to go home immediately, she will be allowed to do so once the parents agree to demand.
"They are staying here willingly and if anyone of them wants to go home today, all we need to do is to notify the parent," she said.
The minister revealed that the girls are in medically and mentally stable conditions, adding that the rehabilitation process is aimed at reinforcing such stability before their return to their school and resumption of normal life.
She disclosed that the Federal Government has engaged the service of 20 teachers as well as medical and paramedical personnel.
"We have also engaged the services of two doctors and in-house nurses, who will handle any complaint of the girls and in the case of any serious situation,” she added.
