Controversy over Release of Chibok Girls as Army Back-Tracks

The military has retracted its statement that some of the over 219 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok town in April by Boko Haram, Islamist militants had been freed.

Major General Chris Olukolade, Army spokesman, said that there were girls in military custody, but not those from Chibok as originally thought

But Mallam Lawan Bana, chairman of Chibok Local Government Council, said in Abuja that four of the girls may have been left off the hook by Boko Haram on health ground.

The girls have been in the captivity of the Boko Haram sect since April 14.

There were insinuations yesterday indicating that many of the school girls had been rescued and taken to Maimalari barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, in two buses.

A few months ago, Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader, had offered to swap the girls with the detained sect’s members, an option that was not considered by the Federal Government.

The DHQ also insisted that it would not negotiate with the insurgents to release the girls.

But Maj.- Gen. Olukolade, said that  “The story circulating in respect of the release of the Chibok girls is not true please. The buses that drove into the barracks were conveying other individuals,” Olukolade said.

Another version of the report had it that the buses that drove to the Maimalari barracks were those of the abducted girls who had earlier escaped from captivity of the insurgents.

A senior politician from Chibok confirmed to journalists that the girls were the ones that escaped and were being moved outside the state to further their studies.

About 30 girls were later sighted at the Government House, Maiduguri, in two 18-seater buses, BH 750BWL and MGM 33XA, Abuja and Borno plate numbers.

But Bana, chairman of Chibok Local Government Council, said in Abuja yesterday that four girls of the over 200 abducted schoolgirls may have been released by their captors on health grounds.

Lawan told an elated audience attending a one-day stakeholders’ meeting for the validation of draft humanitarian response plan for the abducted girls that more girls are likely to be released before the month-end.

Lawan commended Nigerians for showing concern and support for Chibok people, saying the support had restored the hope and aspiration of the people for the return of peace to the community.

Elsewhere, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of Education and leader of #BringBackOurGirls campaign, on  her Twitter handle said that  “Day 162 of OUR #ChibokGirls: Yes, the rumour of their rescue is strong…We wait with earnest HOPE & expectation for EVIDENCE. What JOY!”

Again by 6.10 pm, she tweeted that Day 162 of OUR # ChibokGirls: “My heart is POUNDING in excited anxiety as WE wait. Lord, please let not our HOPE be dashed. Let this be THE DAY.”