President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to rescue and bring back the abducted Chibok schoolgirls if re-elected for a second term in next month’s presidential ballot.

Speaking on the fate of the over 200 girls abducted last April by Boko Haram from their school dormitory in Chibok, Borno State, Jonathan said yesterday during a campaign rally in the state capital, Maiduguri: “We are working towards releasing the girls so that they will be reunited with their families after being in the hands of the terror group for such a long period. We must bring back the Chibok schoolgirls.”

Before he began his speech, Jonathan, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ordered the observation of a minute silence in memory of those killed by Boko Haram.

He expressed regret over the persistent rain of terror on the peace-loving people of the state by the murderous sect, saying his administration will surely overcome the reign of terror in the North-East.

“We will surely defeat the terror group, the Boko Haram, so that our peace loving people of the north-east and other troubled states can go about their legitimate business without any molestation,” the President said.

“We will return Borno to its initial slogan, ‘the Home of Peace and Hospitality’, which has been tampered with by the sect group,” he added.

Jonathan called for support for security agents, as they do their best to end the acts of terror in the region.

The Nigerian leader vehemently denied rumours about sponsoring the insurgency in the north-eastern part of his country.

“I feel very sad when some people say the President uses insecurity in Borno for political reasons,” Jonathan said. “No President anywhere in the world will do this,” he added.

•Photo shows President Jonathan, flanked by PDP chiefs, arriving the campaign ground . . . yesterday in Maiduguri.