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Tag: #DapchiGirls

  • FG reacts to UN’s report of paying ‘huge ransom’ to secure Dapchi girls’ release

    The federal government on Friday reacted to a United Nations report that it paid ‘huge ransom’ to secure the Dapchi school girls release from Boko Haram’s captivity.

    The government however insisted that no money exchanged hands between the federal government and members of the terrorists group for the release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls.

    Recall that a United Nations report had claimed that the Nigerian government paid a “huge sum” to secure the release of the girls earlier this year week after they were captured at their school dormitory.

    But in a statement issued in Illorin, Kwara State on Thursday, Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, insisted that government did not pay any ransom to Boko Haram to free the girls from captivity.

    Mohammed, in the statement signed by his media aide, Mr Segun Adeyemi, challenged anyone who has any evidence of payment to publish such.

    The Minister said, “It is not enough to say that Nigeria paid a ransom, little or huge. There must be a conclusive evidence to support such claim. Without that, the claim remains what it is: a mere conjecture.”

    Recall that in March 2018, Boko Haram released the girls its members kidnapped at the Government Girls Science and Technology College in Dapchi, Yobe State. However, it failed to release one of them, Leah Sharibu, allegedly because she did not renounce her Christian faith.

     

  • UN outraged by Dapchi schoolgirls abduction – Guterres

    UN outraged by Dapchi schoolgirls abduction – Guterres

    The UN has expressed outrage at the abduction of 110 schoolgirls of Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe, by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

    The Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres, said in a statement by his Spokesperson, Mr Stephane Dujarric that he “strongly condemns the abduction and attack”.

    Guterres said he was gravely concerned over the situation of the schoolgirls’ abducted during an attack on their educational institution in Dapch, Yobe state, on Feb. 19.

    The Secretary-General called for the immediate and unconditional release of all missing girls and for their safe return to their families.

    The UN chief urged the Nigerian authorities to swiftly bring those responsible for this dastardly act to justice.

    Guterres reiterated the solidarity and support of the UN to Nigerian Government and other affected countries in the region in their fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

    The UN had earlier described the abduction as “another horrific incident where young women and girls are targeted by terror groups”.

    “And we very much hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, and just as importantly, that the girls will be found and returned to safety.

    “I think the fact that these young women were abducted in an educational setting, where they should have been safe, where they should feel safe, just adds to the horror of the story.”

     

  • #DapchiGirls: Stop the blame game, Dogara tells Army, Police

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has asked security agencies to take responsibility for failing to stop the abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State, adding that the buck passing between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force is unacceptable.

    In a press statement, Hon Dogara said rather than trading blames, the various security agencies should strengthen inter-agency collaboration and intensify efforts towards rescuing the girls.

    “The statements credited to the Army and the Police in which they tried to exonerate themselves from any culpability in the unfortunate and embarrassing abduction of innocent girls from their school in Dapchi , Yobe State, is highly condemnable.

    “This is unacceptable and the House of Representatives, and indeed Nigerians, will hold the security agencies responsible. They all bear responsibility for this unfortunate incident.

    “The traumatic experience of the Chibok abduction which is still fresh in our minds should have serve as a warning signal to security agencies to provide adequate security protection to all schools in the North East.

    “I want to use this medium to console the parents of the abducted girls and the entire Dapchi community over this unfortunate incident. I also urge all Nigerians and people of goodwill from all over to pray for the safe return of the girls”.

     

  • FG sets up committee to probe abduction of Dapchi girls

    The Federal Government has set up a 12-member committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of 110 students of the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said the committee was convened by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd).

    He said the committee, which will be chaired by a military officer of the rank of Major-General, comprised one senior Provost each from the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force.

    He said other members of the committee included representatives of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA); Nigeria Police Force (NPF); Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    The minister said that the committee also included two representatives of the Yobe State Government and a representative of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    He said the terms of reference of the Committee included ascertaining the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the girls.

    He said the committee would confirm the presence, composition, scale and disposition of security emplaced in
    Dapchi and in GGSTC before the incident.

    The minister said the committee would suggest measures that could lead to the location and rescue of the girls and recommend measures to prevent future occurrence.

    He said the committee to be inaugurated on Wednesday is expected to submit its report by March 15.

    Earlier, the federal government released names of the missing girls.

    The list, which the minister said was handed over to him by the Yobe Government, contains the name, age, and class of each of the 110 students.

    Out of the 110 missing girls, eight are said to be in JSS1, 17 in JSS2, 12 in JSS3, 40 in SS1, 19 in SS2 and 14 in SS3.
    Mohammed said that the girls’ ages range from 11 to 19 years.

    The list, which also contains the contact address and phone number of each missing girl, was said to have been verified by a 26-member Screening Committee that includes the Executive Secretary, State Teaching Service Board, Musa Abdulsalam; Director, Schools’ Management, Ministry of Education, Shuaibu Bulama; Principal of GGSTC, Adama Abdulkarim; the two Vice Principals, Ali Musa Mabu and Abdullahi Sule Lampo; Admission Officer, Bashir Ali Yerima, and the Form Masters for all the classes.

    Meanwhile, Mohammed said that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Tuesday relocated to Yobe State to personally superintend the search for the girls.

    He said that the Nigerian Air Force had earlier deployed more platforms to the North-East for the search, as the security agencies ramp up their efforts to locate and rescue the girls.

    “As at 6 p.m. on Monday, the NAF had flown a total of 200 hours while conducting the search,” Mohammed added.

     

  • #DapchiGirls: Comprehensive list of missing girls

    The Federal Government has released the names and other details of the 110 girls who have yet to be accounted for, following the attack on the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.

    See the full list of the missing girls:

     

  • Dapchi update: FG releases names of missing girls, gives breakdown

    The Federal Government has released the names and other details of the 110 girls who have yet to be accounted for, following the attack on the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.

    The list was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who has twice led a Federal Government delegation to Yobe since the tragic incident occurred.

    The list, which was handed over to the Minister by the Yobe State Government, contains the name, age and class of each of the 110 students.

    Out of the 110 missing girls, 8 are in JSS1, 17 in JSS2, 12 in JSS3, 40 in SS1, 19 in SS2 and 14 in SS3. The girls’ ages range from 11 to 19 years.

    The list, which also contains the contact address and phone number of each missing girl, was verified by a 26-member Screening Committee that includes the Executive Secretary, State Teaching Service Board, Musa Abdulsalam; Director, Schools’ Management, Ministry of Education, Shuaibu Bulama; Principal of GGSTC, Adama Abdulkarim; the two Vice Principals, Ali Musa Mabu and Abdullahi Sule Lampo; Admission Officer, Bashir Ali Yerima, and the Form Masters for all the classes.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Tuesday relocated to Yobe State to personally superintend the search for the girls.

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had earlier deployed more platforms to the North east for the search, as the security agencies ramp up their efforts to locate and rescue the girls.

    As at 6 pm on Monday, the NAF had flown a total of 200 hours while conducting the search

    See comprehensive list of missing girls.

  • Dapchi abduction: PDP demands National Assembly’s investigation

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the National Assembly to immediately commence full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction of 110 school girls in Dapchi, Yobe.

    The party made the demand in a statement issued by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Monday in Abuja.

    It will be recalled that suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi last week Monday, abducting 110 students.

    The party said that the investigation had become imperative in the face of rising speculations and conspiracy theorems in public space, fueled by conflicting reports.

    It added that the investigation was important, following attempts at cover-up and disagreements among some government officials and agencies regarding the incident.

    “The National Assembly must take a critical note of the allegation by Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam, who insists that the abduction was preceded by the withdrawal of troops safeguarding the troubled area.

    “The governor is the chief security officer of the state.

    “His statement cannot be taken lightly or even dismissed by just a wave of the hand by anybody or any government agency under any guise whatsoever,” it said.

    The PDP also urged the national assembly to investigate the conflicting reports that on the abduction.

    The party stated: “Nigerians are indeed worried about the apparent deliberate design to hide the facts of this abduction and demand to know the truth.

    “It is a common saying in Africa that thunder does not strike on the same spot twice.

    “We must not allow our national ambience to be filled with speculations from conspiracy theorists.

    “Our lawmakers must therefore, in unraveling the matter, question all security agencies, particularly those operating in the area.”

    The PDP further urged the national assembly to urgently come to the rescue of some of the parents of the abducted girls.

    According to the party, some of the parents were arrested and taken into custody for daring to demand explanations on the whereabouts of their children and wards.

    It added: “The Federal Government must be made to live up to the basic responsibility of protecting lives and property.

    “We therefore demand a strong legislative action at the highest level to enable our nation know the truth on this matter and other issues directly affecting the safety and wellbeing of our citizens.”

     

  • Full list of kidnapped Dapchi schoolgirls

    Full list of kidnapped Dapchi schoolgirls

    S/NO NAME OF STUDENTS AGE CLASS
    1 Aisha Abdullahi 12 years JSS1
    2 Fati Muhammed 11 years JSS1
    3 Fatima Modu Aisami 12 years JSS1
    4 Fatima Abdullahi Ali 12 years JSS1
    5 Salamatu Garba 13 years JSS1
    6 Adama Garba 12 years JSS1
    7 Hadiza Ali 11 years JSS1
    8 Aisha Adamu Alkali 11 years JSS1
    9 Hadiza Muhammed Musa 14 years JSS2
    10 Fatima Usman 14 years JSS2
    11 Rabi Yahaya Tela 13 years JSS2
    12 Zainab Usman 14 years JSS2
    13 Fanna Muhammad 13 years JSS2
    14 Zainab Mohammed Bama 13 years JSS2
    15 Fatima Yahaya 13 years JSS2
    16 Amina Yahaya 13 years JSS2
    17 Maryam Aliyu Mabu 14 years JSS2
    18 Fatima Ishaku Aliyu 13 years JSS 2
    19 Habiba Nuhu Dan-Inuwa 14 years JSS2
    20 Zainab Bukar Abba 14 years JSS2
    21 Fatsuma Ali 14 years JSS2
    22 Salamatu Isiyaku 14 years JSS2
    23 Hauwa Bulama 14 years JSS2
    24 Rabi A. Nasir 14 years JSS2
    25 Khadija Sule 13 years JSS2
    26 Aisha Muhammad Aminami 14 years JSS3
    27 Aisha A. Maina 14 years JSS3
    28 Fatima Bashir 14 years JSS3
    29 Fatima Muhammad 14 years JSS3
    30 Fatima Aji Hassan 15 years JSS3
    31 Hadiza Sale 14 years JSS3
    32 Khadija Suleiman 15 years JSS3
    33 Walida Adamu 15 years JSS3
    34 Maimuna A. Hassan 14 years JSS3
    35 Maryam Ibrahim 14 years JSS3
    36 Zainab Abubakar Yakubu 13 years JSS3
    37 Amina Haruna 15 years JSS3
    38 Falmata Wakil 15 years SS1A
    39 Maimuna Musa 16 years SS1A
    40 Sahura Jibrin Muhammad 15 years SS1A
    41 Fatima Bukar 16 years SS1A
    42 Hajara Yahaya Tela 15 years SS1A
    43 Hajara Ali 16 years SS1A
    44 Maryam Adamu Muhammad 14 years SS1A
    45 Fatsuma Muhammad 15 years SS1A
    46 Hauwa Salisu 14 years SS1A
    47 Amina Adamu 16 years SS1B
    48 Zara Musa 16 years SS1B
    49 Aisha Abba Aji 16 years SS1B
    50 Fatima Alhaji Ari 15 years SS1B
    51 Aisha Alhaji Deri Dokta 16 years SS1B
    52 Maryam Usman Sale 15 years SS1B
    53 Hassana Gambo 15 years SS1B
    54 Hauwa Usman 16 years SS1B
    55 Hajara Muhammad Gidado 16 years SS1B
    56 Zara Muhammed Lawan 15 years SS1C
    57 Khadija Grema Dabuwa 15 years SS1C
    58 Aisha M. Wakil 15 years SS1C
    59 Amina Abubakar 16 years SS1D
    60 Fatima Modu Abubakar 15 years SS1D
    61 Fatima Ibrahim 16 years SS1D
    62 Zara Grema Dabuwa 15 years SS1D
    63 Maryam Adam Kontoma 15 years SS1D
    64 Falmata Wakil 16 years SS1D
    65 Maimuna Umar Alhassan 15 years SS1E
    66 Hajara Adamu Abubakar 15 years SS1E
    67 Aisha Modu Bamba 16 years SS1F
    68 Bintu Yerima 16 years SS1F
    69 Zara Grema 16 years SS1F
    70 Fatima Adamu 16 years SS1F
    71 Fatsuma Abubakar Jambo 16 years SS1F
    72 Maryam Mustapha 15 years SS1F
    73 Fatsuma Abdullahi 15 years SS1F
    74 Aisha Usman 15 years SS1F
    75 Fatsuma Ibrahim Isa 16 years SS1F
    76 Fatima Hassan Mustapha 16 years SS1F
    77 Leah Sharibu 16 years SS1F
    78 Maryam Bashir 17 years SS2A
    79 Maryam Muhammed 17 years SS2A
    80 Maryam Ibrahim Adam 16 years SS2A
    81 Hauwa Manuga Lawan 16 years SS2A
    82 Hauwa Saidu Abubakar 17 years SS2B
    83 Falmata Alhaji Inuwa 16 years SS2C
    84 Zara Muhammed 17 years SS2C
    85 Fatima Muhammed 16 years SS2C
    86 Maryam Usman 16 years SS2C
    87 Aisha B. Danjuma 18 years SS2C
    88 Aisha Mamuda 16 years SS2D
    89 Zara Tijjani 16 years SS2D
    90 Aisha A. Adamu 16 years SS2E
    91 Fatsuma Sani 17 years SS2E
    92 Fatima Usman 17 years SS2E
    93 Amina Abdullahi 18 years SS2F
    94 Aisha Kachalla 16 years SS2F
    95 Maryam Kalwuri 17 years SS2F
    96 Bintu Usman 17 years SS2F
    97 Fatima A. Grah 18 years SS3C
    98 Habiba Musa 18 years SS3C
    99 Hajara Karumi 18 years SS3C
    100 Karima Inusa 18 years SS3C
    101 Falmata A. Audu 18 years SS3C
    102 Hafsat A. Grah 18 years SS3D
    103 Fatima Makinta Liman 19 years SS3D
    104 Aisha Muhammad Jakusko 18 years SS3D
    105 Hadiza Muhammed 18 years SS3D
    106 Hauwa Mohammed Idris 18 years SS3E
    107 Aisha M. Bukar 18 years SS3E
    108 Hadiza Abubakar 18 years SS3F
    109 Fanna Muhammed Modu 17 years SS3F
    110 Maryam Muhammed 18 year SS3F

     

  • Dapchi abduction: Stop your crocodile tears, PDP tells FG, APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop shedding crocodile tears and provide answers to urgent questions surrounding the abduction of schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe state.

    The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Sunday, insisted that the Buhari Presidency has a lot of questions to answer regarding the alleged compromising of security around the area as well as the misleading reports that frustrated immediate rescue of the abducted girls.

    According to the PDP, “Nigerians have been in shock over revelations by the Yobe State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, that the abduction was preceded by withdrawal of troops around Dapchi, thereby rendering the area defenceless and paving the way for insurgents to attack and abduct our girls”.

    “We challenge the Presidency to come out clean on issues surrounding this abduction. Who authorized the said withdrawal of troops from the area and for what purpose? What alternative security measures were put in place to protect the people after the troops were withdrawn? Who controls security intelligence gathering and consequential protection action and what action was taken to guarantee adequate security in the area?

    “Furthermore, we charge the Federal Government to open up on who scripted and released the false rescue report which frustrated prompt action that would have led to the recovery of our innocent girls? Why was that misleading report issued and whose interest did it serve?

    “Indeed, from all indications, every right thinking Nigerian has deduced that there are more than meet the eyes in this ugly episode for which those in authority have a lot of questions to answer.

    “We invite the world to note that after exposing the community to harm and frustrating prompt rescue, the incompetent APC-controlled Federal Government has not taken any concrete step to give the abductors the desired chase to recover our girls.

    “Rather, they sent a delegation of persons with no knowledge of security to Dapchi on fact-funding missions.

    “The PDP and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians are appalled by the crocodile tears being shed by the incompetent and deceptive APC-Federal Government instead of scaling up actions on the matter.

    “It is on this note that we call on our security agencies to stand up to the challenge and do their professional best to ensure the safe return of our girls.

    “The PDP stands in prayers with parents of our girls, the entire Dapchi community and all victims of mindless atrocities against Nigerians under the incompetent and deceptive APC-led Federal Government even as we collectively seek solution at this trying time,” the statement read.

     

  • Yobe school attack: FG confirms 110 Dapchi girls unaccounted

    The Federal Government on Sunday confirmed that 110 schoolgirls of Government Girls Technical School Dapchi, were unaccounted for in the Boko Haram attack on the school last Monday.

    Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of information, disclosed this to newsmen in Damaturu after a closed door meeting between a federal government delegation,Yobe government, security agencies, community leaders and parents of the missing schoolgirls.

    “It was a meeting between stakeholders to get a first hand information and, out of the total register of 906 students in school that day, 110 students are unaccounted” he said.

    The minister said far reaching decisions were reached among which included the deployment of police and Civil Defence Corps to all schools.

    He said security agencies were synergizing to ensure the rescue of every student abducted by the insurgents.

    “No stone will be left unturned in our determination to rescue these girls” the minister assured.

    He said the federal, state governments and parents would collaborate with security agents to work towards successful rescue of the students.

    Mohammed reiterated that the insurgents were being contained and now looking for soft targets.

    “Government will remain focused and resolute in the fight against insurgency to rescue the students and every Nigerian in their custody.”

    Government Girls Technical College Dapchi was last Monday attacked by Boko Haram insurgents and, abducted the schoolgirls.