#BringBackOurGirls expresses condolences, denounces attacks on Congresswoman Frederica Wilson

23 October 2017
The #BringBackOurGirls movement expresses heartfelt condolences to the people and government of the United States of America, and especially the families of Sergeant La David Johnson, and Staff Sergeants Bryan Black, Dustin Wright, and Jeremiah Johnson; fellow members of the 3rd Special Forces Group and United States Special Operation who it is reported were attacked and killed in an ambush in Niger Republic where according to US Navy Lieutenant Commander Anthony Falvo, a spokesman for US Africa Command, ‘US forces are in Niger to provide training and security assistance to the Nigerien Armed Forces, including support for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts, in their efforts to target violent extremist organisations in the region, one aspect of that is training, advising and assisting the Nigeriens in order to increase their ability to bring stability and security to their people’, he said.
Our movement specially commiserates with a great friend of our #ChibokGirls and #BringBackOurGirls, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson. Her exceptional strength of character demonstrated in her persistent advocacy for the rescue of the remaining 113 #ChibokGirls abducted is very revealing of Congresswoman Wilson’s commitment to the weak and vulnerable. As she has done on the tragedy of our Nigerian school girls abducted and still held captive by terrorists for three and half years; we see her doing concerning Sergeant Johnson’s widow and his family the deceased and his family being members of her Florida constituency.
Rep Wilson is a leading #BringBackOurGirls advocate in the US Congress who remains a Voice for our abducted school girls even after millions around the world have since moved on following the initial global outrage and demand for their rescue. She along with other members of Congress across the aisle have worked within and outside Capitol Hill for more than three years, advocating for the return of our #ChibokGirls, demanding actions necessary to end to terrorism crisis in Nigeria’s northeast region and the West Africa Sub-region. Her interest in encouraging governments to respond to the humanitarian tragedy of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is widely acknowledged.
Congresswoman Wilson has led numerous policy dialogues, press conferences, and even travelled to Nigeria to meet with families of our missing girls and top officials of the Government of Nigeria in her committed bid to support victims of terrorism like our #ChibokGirls.
We recall specifically how the Leahy Law prevents the US government from selling armament to Nigeria and offering other forms of military support. It took Congresswoman Wilson working along with some of her colleagues to get these restrictions relaxed with respect to our country, Nigeria since 2015. In December 2015 the US House passed HR 3833/S.1632 – a bipartisan legislation- introduced by Congresswoman Wilson and Senator Susan Collins. That legislation directed the US government to develop a five-year strategic plan to support Nigeria’s counter- terrorism strategy as well as address the humanitarian and educational challenges it created.
Without a doubt, our friend and ally in #BringBackOurGirls- Congresswoman Wilson- is unalloyed in always standing on the side of weaker people in society and fighting for their cause . She goes all out to demand empathy, compassion, sensitivity, consideration and all actions necessary to bring the comfort of justice to those who suffer.
It is for this reason that our movement stands with Congresswoman Frederica Wilson as she stands for the family of the late Sergeant La David Johnson. We believe in her cause because it has always been natural to Congresswoman Wilson to speak truth to power. Our Movement #BringBackOurGirls knows how difficult speaking truth to power can be as it is what we have been doing over the last 1273 days to our Government. Congresswoman Wilson is not alone. We stand with her.
Signed: For and on behalf of #BringBackOurGirls
FLORENCE OZOR
OBY EZEKWESILI