Security agencies “pave way” for Boko Haram to release only 76 Dapchi girls, 34 still missing
The Federal Government has confirmed that only 76 of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls were returned by the Boko Haram insurgents.
A total of 110 girls were abducted by the insurgents on February 19. At least 34 girls remain in captivity.
The minister of information, Lai Mohammed made the confirmation in a statement, saying President Buhari’s directives to all security agencies to do everything possible to secure the release of the girls, had “yielded fruits”.
Mohammed said security agencies intentionally paused operational activities to allow the insurgents have a smooth passage into the community.
He said the non-violent approach was taken because the government wanted to ensure that no lives were lost when the girls were driven into town around 3a.m.
”For the release to work, the government had a clear understanding that violence and confrontation would not be the way out as it could endanger the lives of the girls, hence a non-violent approach was the preferred option,” he said.
“Within the period when the girls were being brought back, operational pause was observed in certain areas to ensure free passage and also that lives were not lost.”
Mohammed further said the number of freed girls would be updated after proper documentation as “the girls were not handed over to anyone but dropped off in Dapchi.”
