NEW York's Empire State Building was lit up in red and purple last night to honour the 219 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in April last year as the world celebrated the one year anniversary of their abduction.  

On April 14 last year, 219 pupils from the Government Girls secondary School Chibok were abducted from their dormitory by Boko Haram. To mark the event, the Nigerian military has promised that Boko Haram's last remaining stronghold would be liberated before the May 29 handover date when the Goodluck Jonathan administration will pass the reins of power to General Muhammadu Buhari. 

In New York, the Empire State Building remained illuminated until 2 am to mark the event. Candlelight vigils, rallies and prayers were held from Nigeria to New Zealand to Paris to mark the event, while others commemorated the missing students and demanded their safe return with #BringBackOurGirls messages. 

Amnesty International said the Chibok girls’ kidnapping was one of 38 in northeast Nigeria since the start of last year that had seen at least 2,000 women taken by the militants. Nigeria’s president-elect General Buhari has cautioned, however, that he could not make promises on the return of the missing schoolgirls. 

Yesterday though, Nigeria's national security adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki, gave an assurance that the federal government was making every effort to ensure that the girls along with every other Nigerian abducted by terrorists are rescued. He also promised that Sambisa Forest, the Boko Haram fortress, will be stormed and liberated before the May 29, 2015 presidential hand-over date. 

Borno State governor Kashim Shettima, said: “Right now, all Boko Haram camps, except Sambisa Forest have been destroyed. Every movement of the terrorists is being monitored and every necessary detail is being taken care of to rid the country of the last bastion of terrorists' infestation.” 

He added that the forest would have since been liberated but for unfavourable weather conditions prevailing in the area as all needed reconnaissance activity and necessary deployment of troops have been made for the operation. He insisted that the government is concerned about the welfare of every single Nigerian including the Chibok girls.