The Nigerian government has confirmed the released of some of the girls abducted by Boko Haram militants from a secondary school in Dapchi, Yobe State. The government said only 76 Dacphi school girls were released, meaning the militants have not freed 34 of the girls.
The confirmation was made in a statement by the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed.
Mr Mohammed said President Muhammadu Buhari directives to all security agencies to do everything possible to secure the release of the Dacphi school girls, who were abducted February 19, had “yielded fruits”.
He said the release of the remaining abducted students was “ongoing”.
He said the girls were released around 3 a.m. through “back-channel efforts” and with the help of some friends of the country, and that it was unconditional.
”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.
”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,” Mr. Mohammed said.
He said the number of the freed girls would be updated after the remaining ones have been documented, “especially because the girls were not handed over to anyone but dropped off in Dapchi.”
Boko Haram insurgents released the girls earlier today. Amharic M-grah, a Dapchi resident, whose daughters were among the 110 abducted students, told TheCable that his children were brought back on Wednesday morning.
“The report is true. I have seen my two daughters who were kidnapped last month,” he said.
Another resident said there is confusion in the town as many people are running out of fear.
“Boko Haram just returned the kidnapped girls this morning. They brought them back in the same set of vehicles which they used in conveying them last month,” the resident said.
“People are scared because they do not know what the insurgents are up to.”
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