Lagos – The Lagos chapter of the Women for Change and Development Initiative, an NGO founded by Dame Patience Jonathan, on Tuesday held a prayer session for the abducted Chibok schoolgirls and Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Boko Haram insurgents on April 14 invaded the Government Girls College, Chibok in Borno and abducted over 200 schoolgirls.

NAN reports that the nationwide interdenominational prayer session was well attended by Christian and Muslim members of the W4CDI in Lagos.

•The abducted school girls

Speaking with newsmen after the prayers, Mrs Adenike Shobajo, the state Coordinator of the group, said that the prayers were for God’s intervention for the safe return of the missing Chibok girls.

“We also want God’s intervention to overcome terrorism in Nigeria, we have no doubt that God will intervene in the nation’s security challenges.

“Nigeria is at a very challenging time, but it will overcome,” she said.

Shobajo urged all women in Nigeria to be part of the war to spiritually liberate the nation from the hands of evil ones.

“Anywhere things go bad and women intervene, there is always change,” she said.

Also speaking, the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the group, Mrs Bukky Ajomo, noted that the issue of terrorism was a global problem.

“Nigerians must begin to realise that the fight against the monster called terrorism is an international one and not one that the presidency alone can fix.

“We must be supportive of the Federal Government and its agencies and contribute our quota in ensuring that Nigeria is rid of the Boko Haram sect,” she said.

Meanwhile, some women under the aegis of Igbo Ladies in Support of Good Governance on Tuesday in Lagos staged a peaceful protest against the abduction of the students.

The protesting women, who marched to the office of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, displayed placards with inscriptions of “Bring back our girls,” “Release Chibok girls now”.

Mrs Chioma Adeoye, who led the women, called on Nigerians to pray fervently for the release of the girls and for peace to reign in the country.

“It is over a month that these girls were abducted and we believe as a group that very soon we are going to celebrate their release.

“We pray for peace in this country so that we can enjoy that which God has given us and so that there will be development politically, economically and socially,“ Adeoye said.

Addressing the group on behalf of the Deputy Governor, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Michael Dawodu, thanked them for identifying with others for the safe release of the girls.

He expressed relief that the international community, including the United States of America, Britain, France, China, Israel and ECOWAS had all offered their assistance toward rescuing the girls.

“It is an international issue, indeed the entire world is working on the release of the girls and I want to assure you that they will come back safely.

“Your prayers must continue and we know God has heard you,” Dawodu said.

– NAN