The National Coalition for Justice and Equity has lauded the international community for its assistance to rescue the over 200 abducted schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno, unconditionally.

``We are looking at the development from the positive light which shows how important and esteemed the country is to the international community and other influential countries.’’ the group said.

In the statement in Onitsha, Anambra, signed by its Chairman, Mr Vincent Ezekwueme, the group urged Nigerians to rise above political and religious sentiments to fight the insurgents.

``For God and humanity sake, the Boko Haram sect should lay down their arms and respect the sanctity of the human life, even as it concerns tender schoolgirls who have not committed any crime by going to school.''

It said no religion encouraged violence, and called for the unconditional release of the schoolgirls as a matter of urgency.

``We must stop this sect which had given room for countries that have more serious issues more than ours to cast aspersion on the country,’’ it noted.

The statement urged Nigerians to continue to fast and pray for the safe return of the girls to their parents.

‘’Political and religious groups should stop making unguarded comments about the issue. God bless and keep Nigeria,’’ it said.

It can be  recalled that insurgents abducted over 200 schoolgirls at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, while taking their WAEC examinations.

The girls, whose ages range from 16 to 18 years, were reportedly loaded into trucks and forcefully taken away from their hostels around midnight on April 14.