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Tag: Dapchi girls

  • Dapchi Girls: Our prayers have been answered – Saraki

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has described the release of 101 of the 110 abducted Dapchi Schoolgirls as the answered prayers of millions of Nigerians.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki commended President Buhari, the Nigerian security forces and the government of Yobe State, for the ongoing effort that led to the release of the girls, stating that the government should do all within its power to ensure the return of the remaining Dapchi and Chibok girls.

    “The release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls is tremendous news for the country. Our prayers have been answered.

    “I commend President Buhari, our security forces and the Yobe State Government for their effort in bringing back our girls. However, we cannot stop here. We must not rest until all the Dapchi girls, and the remaining Chibok girls are back home with their families.

    “I hope that the girls that have been released will soon be reunited with their families and loved ones. It is also necessary that we ensure that they receive the necessary care and rehabilitation that they need to continue to lead normal lives.

    “I urge the affected families and the Yobe State Government to do all within their power to ensure that these girls continue their education — as this will be the strongest signal to their abductors that though they may have kidnapped their bodies — they will never break their spirits and their minds,” the President of the Senate said.

  • #DapchiGirls: Prioritise medical needs of released girls, SERAP tells FG

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari to “prioritise the well-being of the released Dapchi girls by immediately providing them with adequate medical and mental health services. These include post-rape care and psychosocial support for those who have survived abduction by the Boko Haram terrorist group.”

    The organization also “urges the authorities to urgently establish a judicial commission of inquiry to conduct a thorough, impartial and effective investigation into allegations of complicity against some members of the military and security forces in the abduction of the girls. Such commission should be completely independent, and have the mandate to find out exactly what transpired, and identify suspected perpetrators.”

    The organization, “The report and findings of the commission should be made public, and handed over to a judicial authority to pursue possible prosecutions. This is the surest way to end the constant abductions of our girls.”

    The Nigerian government today announced the release of 101 Dapchi girls from the captivity by Boko Haram.

    In a statement by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale the organization said, “We welcome the news that many of the girls have now been released. But these girls should not have been abducted in the first place. It’s now absolutely important for Buhari to implement plans to make schools safer for students in the northeast of the country, if his government is to put a stop to constant abductions of Nigerian girls.”

    “Never again should Nigerian girls be abducted from their schools. The fact remains that the authorities have failed dismally to protect the girls and Nigerians deserve some answers as to what the government is doing to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

    “When girls leave school, their futures can be irreparably harmed. Protecting our schools against any attacks would align Nigeria with the growing global consensus that schools must be safe places, even during armed conflict. Constant attacks on our schools would undermine the government’s commitment to get more children, especially girls, into school – free from discrimination, in a safe environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.”

    “Attacks on schools not only have impact on the lives of the girls and communities who are directly concerned, they also send a signal to parents and guardians that schools are not safe places for girls. Providing a safe school environment is crucial to making girls remain in school.”

    “Education is a powerful tool to ensure that women are aware of their rights and know how to claim them. It gives women more negotiating power in all aspects of their life. It can protect women from harmful practices and other forms of violence. Education is also crucial for women’s participation in economic, social and political life and necessary to break the cycle of discrimination and exclusion.”

     

  • 10 things you should know about abduction, release of Dapchi schoolgirls

    The Boko Haram insurgents on Monday, February 19 abducted 110 girls from their hostels at the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.

    The abduction of the girls fueled national and international outrage with several interest groups calling for their immediate release.

    However, the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government in series of meetings with the parents of the abducted girls assured them (the parents) of the girls’ safe return home.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the President last week visited the state to sympathize with the parents and other concerned residents about three weeks after the abduction took place.

    The insurgents on Wednesday, March 21 released the abducted girls.

    Below are some of the timelines of activities from the day of abduction to day of release.

    1. The girls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in their hostels at the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State on Monday, February 19, 2018.
    2. The total abducted girls are 110 in number.
    3. President Muhammadu Buhari sent representatives to Yobe for an on-the-spot assessment of the abduction.
    4. The insurgents contacted a trusted female negotiator, Aisha Wakil popularly called Mama Boko Haram to negotiate talks between them and the Federal Government on the possible release of the girls.
    5. Senate summons security chiefs over abduction.
    6. President Muhammadu Buhari heeds calls to visit Yobe.
    7. Federal Government considers negotiating with Boko Haram for the release of the girls.
    8. The United States Government, through the then Secretary of States, Rex Tillerson promised to deploy ‘Special Forces’ to help Nigeria secure release of the girls from Boko Haram
    9. Amnesty International indicts Nigerian security forces over abduction.
    10. Boko Haram insurgents releases abducted girls as some are feared dead.

  • Released Dapchi school girls undergoing treatments in General hospital

    The just released students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State are currently undergoing preliminary treatments in a local hospital, TheNewsGuru.com can authoritatively report.

    Recall that the girls were earlier released by the Boko Haram insurgents following series of negotiations.

    The Chairman Forum of the missing girls Alhaji Bashir Manzo confirmed to newsmen that the girls have been released. He was however not sure of the number.

    A prominent member of Dapchi Community also confirmed that they are presently taking the roll call of the girls

    “As I speak with you, we are presently trying to take the roll call of the girls to ascertain the exact no,” the source revealed.

    Unconfirmed reports revealed that two of the girls died in custody while one who is a Christian is still being kept by the insurgents because she refused to be converted to Islam.

    The released of the girls coincided with a solidarity visit of parents of the Chibok girls who are currently in Dapchi.

    A security source informed that “Boko Haram drove into Dapchi and dropped off the girls at the heart of the town and went back with us firing a shot at them. We were asked to leave our camp which is the same route that Boko Haram followed to drop off the girls,” the source informed.

    A residents informed that the girls are currently been attended to at the General Hospital Dapchi.

    “The girls are looking terrible. Most of them are on dripp because they very exhausted and underfed, ” a medical personal at the hospital revealed.

    Speaking on the accurate no of the girls, a security source informed that some of the parents have taken their children away immediately Boko Haram came and dropped them.

    “We are having challenges to get the exact no of the girls now because some of the parents came and took their children away immediately Boko Haram came and dropped them off. We are trying to retrieve some of the girls now but it’s being difficult,” the source informed.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Dapchi girls were abducted on the 19th February, 2018 in their hostels.

     

  • BREAKING: Five dead as Boko Haram returns kidnapped 105 Dapchi schoolgirls

    Over 105 girls who were kidnapped from Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, located in Bulabulin, Yunusari Local Government area of Yobe State, have reportedly returned.

    ALSO READ: We’ll do headcount to ascertain numbers of abducted Dapchi girls released – Parent Association

    “Nigerian Islamist militant group, Boko Haram today returned 105 girls kidnapped from a high school compound in Dapchi a few weeks ago….the militant group came with the girls in 9 vehicles same way they took them away.

    “There was confusion in the area as members of the community scampered into the bush as the terror group appeared in the area, first dropping off one the girls in a nearby village and then driving into the center of Dapchi town to drop off the rest of the girls.
    “Five of the girls are dead according to our source. It is not clear if the Nigerian government paid any ransom to get the girls released.” Sahara Reporters reports.

    Recall that the federal government recently assured that the Dapchi schoolgirls will soon regain freedom.

    According to the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, gave the assurance during an interview session on Dateline Abuja, a Channels Television’s programme.

    He said: “It can be earlier; maybe a week, it can be two weeks, but we are on it, and I’m telling you with all sense of sincerity that we are closing in on them”.

    “We have dispatched all the surveillance devices we have in terms of air, human resource, intelligence, and other forces that needed to be in place by all possible means and we have made sure that all that’s needed is being done to see that these girls are being found, wherever they are.”

    Dan-Ali was also confident that the girls would return in the shortest time owing to the intelligence at the government’s disposal, though he could not say the exact time when this would be.

    A faction of Boko Haram is believed to have kidnapped students of Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, in Yobe State on February 19.

  • Dapchi abduction: Security forces allowed Boko Haram to abduct schoolgirls – Amnesty

    Global human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, AI, has revealed that Nigerian security forces got advance warnings that a convoy of Boko Haram fighters was heading towards Dapchi, a town where 110 schoolgirls were abducted by terrorists on February 19 in an assault similar to the infamous Chibok girls’ abduction of April 2014.

    It claimed that no fewer than five calls were put across to security forces between 2pm and 6:30pm on that fateful day of the abduction of female pupils from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state.

    In a report on the incident released yesterday, Amnesty International said the first call was made to the Nigerian Army Command in Geidam, 54km from Dapchi, informing them that Boko Haram fighters had been seen at Futchimiram heading to Gumsa, a village about 30km from Dapchi.

    However, the evidence documented by the international group shows that the military did nothing to stop the insurgents.

    “The sighting of an armed convoy at Futchimiram immediately sparked several phone calls to alert authorities. Sources who informed the military commander in Geidam at 2p.m. report that he responded to them by saying he was aware of the situation and was monitoring it.

    “At about 3pm, the convoy arrived in Gumsa, where they remained till 5pm. People in Gumsa called Dapchi villagers to warn them that Boko Haram fighters were on their way. One villager who received such a call said he informed a police sergeant who promised to notify the Dapchi Division Police Officer (DPO).

    “At about 6:30pm, when residents were heading to the mosque for evening prayers, Boko Haram members entered Dapchi. Witnesses said Boko Haram fighters asked for directions to the military post, the local government office and the girls’ school,” the report said.

    Amnesty learnt from an eyewitness that approximately 50 Boko Haram fighters stormed Dapchi in a convoy of nine vehicles with Arabic inscriptions on them. The vehicles included seven Land Cruiser trucks, one Hilux and a Canter truck.

    A police source in Dapchi also told the group that on sighting them, police officers fled because they feared that the Boko Haram fighters would overpower them. According to victims and eyewitnesses interviewed by AI, Boko Haram left Gumsa for Dapchi at about 5pm, arriving at about 6:30pm.

    “They left Dapchi at about 7:30pm in the direction of Gumsa, where villagers say they arrived at about 9p.m. During the attack, army officials both in Geidam and Damaturu were again alerted. The military only arrived in Dapchi shortly after Boko Haram left. Villagers in Dapchi and Gumsa said a military jet arrived about one hour after Boko Haram left Dapchi,” read the report.

    AI lamented that in spite of the several distress calls, the Nigerian military neither took effective measures to stop the abduction nor made serious efforts to rescue the girls after they were taken by Boko Haram fighters.

    The Director, Amnesty International in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, maintained in a statement that the Nigerian authorities have failed in their duty to protect civilians, just as they did in Chibok four years ago.

    While describing the inaction as, “inexcusable security lapses”, Ojigho said, “Evidence available to Amnesty International suggests that there are insufficient troops deployed in the area, and that an absence of patrols and the failure to respond to warnings and engage with Boko Haram contributed to this tragedy. The government’s failure in this incident must be investigated and the findings made public and it is absolutely crucial that any investigation focuses on the root causes.”

  • We won’t rest until Chibok, Dapchi schoolgirls are released – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will not rest until all the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls in the Boko Haram custody are released and reunited with their families.

    The President said this on Wednesday during a meeting with the Yobe State Governor, Mr Ibrahim Gaidam, as well as the parents of the missing Dapchi schoolgirls at the Government House in Damaturu, the state capital.

    Also present at the meeting are traditional rulers, community leaders, and top government officials among other stakeholders in Yobe.

    The Federal Government had confirmed that 110 students were unaccounted for after Boko Haram terrorists invaded the Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, in February.

    President Buhari, who paid a condolence visit to the state, sympathised with the families of those whose children were abducted by the insurgents.

    On measures put in place to secure their release, he disclosed that he has ordered the service chiefs to brief him on daily basis on the progress made.

    The President added that the Federal Government is partnering with some organisations for the safe return of the girls, recalling that more than 100 Chibok girls have so far been released.

    He noted that security has improved at the mosques and churches attacked by the terrorists in most Northern states, following the degrading of the terrorists.

    On his part, Governor Gaidam thanked the President for sharing their grief and described his presence in Yobe as a fatherly visit.

    He assured him that the people of the state are behind him and that they would do all necessary to support the development of the country.

    The governor noted that President Buhari has done well by embarking on the visit, having sent four separate delegations to Yobe.

    According to him, the visit has given the state government and the people the confidence need that the abducted schoolgirl would return soon.

    Governor Gaidam also thanked the international community for their concern and the security agencies for their unrelenting effort in the fight against the insurgency.

    He informed the President that the military has restored personnel to Dapchi town while security personnel have been deployed in all schools in the state.

  • Abduction: Heavy security as Buhari meets Dapchi girls’ parents in Yobe today

    President Muhammadu Buhari wil today meet with parents of the 110 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram on February 19 in Dapchi, Yobe State.

    Recall that the President had earlier visited Taraba, Plateau and Benue states, where killings by herdsmen took place. He is also due to visit Niger State Thursday.

    The Yobe State government officials on Tuesday said the President is not likely to visit Dapchi, unless there is a last-minute change in plans.

    The chairman of the Forum of Dapchi Abducted School Girls Parents, Bashir Manzo confirmed the meeting with the president.

    “Yes, we have been contacted to meet with the President tomorrow in Damaturu. I am leaving Dapchi today to sleep in Damaturu.”

    He also urged the president to work fast in trying to rescue their daughters and reunite them with their parents.

    Some of the parents of the abducted girls also confirmed that they had been invited to the Government House in Damaturu for the meeting.

    “For us the parents of the missing girls, Our message to him is very clear; he should ensure that our daughters return safe and on time to us,” one of the parents said.

    President Buhari on Monday told outgoing United State Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, that he preferred to negotiate the release of the girls rather than a military option.

    There was heavy security in Damaturu yesterday ahead of the visit.

    A detachment of security personnel including army, police and Civil Defence Corps were deployed in strategic locations.

    The August 27 Stadium where the president is expected to land from an Air force helicopter enroute Maiduguri International Airport had been taken over by security with Armored Carriers mounted at the front of the stadium.

    Some of the parents spoke on their expectations in separate interviews with newsmen in Damaturu.

    Manzo the chairman said to negotiate the release is “a welcome development and we are happy about it.

    “Use of force, as the only option, will result in death of many of the girls while negotiation provides for their safe return.”

    The chairman, who encouraged government to go for dialogue to hasten return of the girls, said “the fact that the insurgents provide room for negotiation gives us hope for safe return of our daughters.”

    Alhaji Baba Shehu, Secretary Dapchi Youth Development Association, also described the negotiation option as a healthy development.

    “Government should deploy resources at its disposal to take this advantage and ensure safe return of the girls” he said.

    Alhaji Ali Mohammed, a father of eight of the students, described negotiation as the only safe option for the insurgents to release the girls, saying he was happy “government had considered this option of negotiation”.

    Maryam Alkali, a mother, said every mother would appreciate the option that will bring the girls back home safely.

    “Let me state without fear of contradiction that every mother of the abducted girls will now have a strong hope for reunion with these girls” she said.

    Malam Mustapha Imam, another parent, said “If government had resorted to military option alone, it may jeopardize the safety of the girls, so the option of negotiation is a welcome development.”

    He however called on government to take strong precautionary measures in safeguarding every school in the country, especially those in the Northeast.

    “Government has to invest heavily on security, especially in equipment, manpower and intelligence gathering for improved security,” Imam said

  • Dapchi girls’ abduction: Declare state of emergency in North East, Clark advises Buhari

    Dapchi girls’ abduction: Declare state of emergency in North East, Clark advises Buhari

    Prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to declare full state of emergency in the North East.

    Clark said this would enable the security agencies to finish the fight against Boko Haram terrorists unhindered.

    Speaking on the recent adoption of over 100 students from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, the former federal commissioner for information argued that anything short of full declaration of state of emergency in the North East would not yield the expected result.

    He declared that a state of emergency where a sole administrator is appointed for at least six months would do the work.

    He said a sole administrator, unlike a political leader, would take decisive action on the matter.

    Clark described the abduction as a national embarrassment because it affects all irrespective of party affiliation.

     

  • Dapchi girls: Boko Haram contacts female negotiator to dialogue with FG

    The Barnawi faction of Boko Haram has contacted human rights activist, Mrs Aisha Wakil, admitting it has in its custody the Dapchi schoolgirls who were abducted last week.

    The sect also hinted that the girls might be released.

    Wakil, popularly called Mama Boko Haram on account of her closeness to many of the sect members ,said yesterday that the Abu Musab Al-Barnawi faction called her on Thursday to confirm that it is keeping the girls.

    She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the abductors told her that the girls were safe, healthy and in good condition.

    She did not say how many of the girls are with the terrorists, although the Federal Government put the number of the missing girls at 110.

    The sect had called her following an earlier interview she granted PRNigeria in which she pleaded with the abductors to release the girls to enable them to be reunited with their families.

    She said in that interview that she was ready to sacrifice her life to rescue the girls.

    Wakil said: “They were even the ones that called me, and said Mama we heard what you had said and told me that they were with the girls and they were going to release them.

    “I begged of them and said please let this not be another 1,000-plus days of Chibok girls, and they laughed and said no.

    “I asked them where I can come and stay with them (girls) for two days, but they did not say anything.

    “I can assure Nigerians that so far they are with my son, Habib (Abu Musab Al-Barnawi), and his friends.

    “Habib is a nice guy; he is a very nice boy. He will not harm them; he will not touch them; and he will not kill them.

    “He is going to listen to us, and so far, he indicated interest that he loves peace. And I love them for that and believe what they said on this.

    “They will definitely give us the girls. All I am begging Nigerians is to calm down, be prayerful, everything will be over.”

    The activist had, at various times, participated and played key roles in negotiations between the military authorities and Boko Haram insurgents’ commanders, which facilitated the release of numerous abductees from terrorists’ captivity.

    She was a member of the Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges Committee in the northern region set up during the President Goodluck Jonathan era.

    Al-Barnawi is the first son of the late founder of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf.

    Yusuf died in police custody following a 2009 military crackdown on the sect in Maiduguri.

    The militant group, Islamic State (ISIS), in August 2016 appointed Al-Barnawi as the head of Boko Haram, a decision which was vehemently rejected by Abubakar Shekau.