Factsheet: Federal Government’s Efforts to Ensure the Safe Return of the Dapchi Girls

Background:

On February 19, 2018, 110 girls were abducted by suspected Boko Haram militants from the Government Girls’ Technical School, Dapchi in Bursari Local Government of Yobe State.

By February 21, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari reacted to the abduction of the school girls, by directing the military and police to mobilize immediately and begin rescue efforts.

On February 22, 2018, a Federal Government delegation led by Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed, visited Dapchi, Yobe State to fully support and collaborate with the Yobe State Government, on rescue plans.

In response to the recent incident, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) deployed air assets, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, to the Northeast in a renewed effort at locating the missing Dapchi girls.

On February 26, 2018, a Federal Government delegation, led by Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed, visited Yobe State for the second time to meet with state government stakeholders and get update on the search for the 110 missing girls.

At the meeting, the Minister announced that the Federal Government has directed all security agencies in Yobe State to deploy their personnel to schools in the state to ensure students and staffers’ safety. He also added that security agencies are working on many leads on the location of the girls.

On February 26, 2018, following the need for more in-dept search operations, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) deployed additional air assets, to conduct day and night searches for the missing girls. By 6pm, the Nigerian Air Force had flown a total of 200 hours conducting searches for the missing girls.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar relocated to Yobe state on February 27, 2018, to personally superintend the search for the missing Dapchi girls.

On February 28, 2018, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt General (Rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, directed the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris and the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC), Abdullahi Mohammad Gana to relocate to the northeast and liaise with the theater commander of operation Lafiya Dole, the Governors of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states to ensure the deployment of their personnel to all schools in the liberated areas in the three states.

On March 2, 2018, the search for the missing girls was extended to the neigbouring countries. A statement to this effect was released by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed.

The Federal Goverment has officially released the names and details of the 110 missing girls to the general public as it continues its search efforts.

As of March 21, 2018, 107 out of the 110 missing Dapchi girls (105 Dapchi school girls and 2 others) were officially documented to have been released by the Boko Haram insurgents. The girls were promptly put under medical care while the remaining number of girls were being accounted for. Full press release to this effect can be sourced HERE

On March 23, 2018, the President officially received the released Dapchi schoolgirls at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He made his address at the meeting which can be sourced HERE

The Nigerian Air Force has urged the locals and anyone who might have useful information on the location of the girls to contact the NAF authorities using the following tip lines:

08035733438

08172843484

08058419128

The Federal Government urges everyone to remain calm as they step up efforts to locate the missing girls. A detailed press statement on Federal Government’s response is HERE

Press Release: 101 Freed Dapchi Schoolgirls Now Documented – FG

The number of the Dapchi schoolgirls who were released on Wednesday has increased from 76 to 101, with the documentation of more of the freed girls by the security agencies, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister said the number could still increase, as the documentation of the freed girls is ongoing.

He said the release of the schoolgirls is the outcome of the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to all security agencies to do everything possible to secure the release of the 110 Dapchi schoolgirls, who were abducted 19 Feb. 2018.

The Minister 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,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Federal Government Delegation comprising Ministers of Information and Culture; Interior as well as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs are on their way to Maiduguri to meet with the freed girls.

Segun Adeyemi
SA To Hon Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
21 March 2018

President Buhari’s Address on his Official Visit to Yobe State

I am here in Yobe State today, to express my sincere sympathies with the parents, families, the Government and the entire people of Yobe State whose daughters were callously abducted by unrepentant terrorists.

On 19th February, 2018, we woke up to the painful news of the abduction of One Hundred and Ten (110) students of Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi. Since this ugly incident happened, I have not left any stone unturned in making sure that the girls are rescued.

I have ordered the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take direct charge and brief me on a daily basis on the efforts to bring back the girls. Within four (4) days of the incident, the Minister of Information visited Dapchi and the next day, the Minister of Interior who was accompanied by the Minister of Information re-visited the school for on the spot assessment.

I have ordered the re-strengthening of a Joint Operational Base involving relevant agencies and Services to coordinate the rescue mission. Consequently, the Service Commanders have not only established a unified Command Centre in Maiduguri, the Military has raised several rescue teams to comb the forests in the North East Theatre of Operation.

In addition, the Nigerian Airforce has maintained aerial surveillance of the area. The Federal Government had earlier sent a delegation of senior officials to visit the Governor and the parents of the girls to re-assure them of the measures the government is taking as well as have an on-the-spot-assessment of the incident.

Similarly, the Federal Government has set up a 12-member Committee to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the students. The membership of the Committee was drawn from among security agencies and local residents. It is my hope that any agency, person or group found to have been negligent or culpable in the abduction of the girls will be punished in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, the government is partnering with the International Community and organizations including our neighbours to ensure that these girls are safely returned. Just recently, I reiterated our resolve to negotiate for the unconditional release of the girls. This is borne out of this administration’s conviction that, doing so is safer devoid of risks and will not endanger the lives of our young girls who are in harm’s way.

Since the inception of this administration, we have remained resolute in our fight against Terrorism and Boko Haram insurgents. Nigerians will readily recall that prior to our coming in 2015, the situation was chaotic with violent terrorist attacks being the order of the day.

Terrorists had made life very unbearable for the people in Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Borno, Niger, and even the FCT, Abuja. Our Mosques and Churches witnessed daily suicide bomb attacks. Parts of Adamawa and Borno States were helplessly ceded to the terrorists.

But today, we have so far shown clear determination in tackling terrorism which is a world -wide phenomenon. We have not only degraded the power and dominance of the criminal elements, our security forces have patriotically exhibited an uncommon zeal in executing their assignment.

We explored various strategies including regional and international collaborations to exterminate terror. We have re-equipped our armed forces, security and intelligence Services. They are empowered with improved welfare and better equipment. The outcomes have been good. Our achievement in maintaining security is such that the international community and even our critics commend our modest efforts in this regards.

The Federal Government’s response to the unfortunate abduction of the school girls is a clear departure from the insensitivity of the past administration which looked the other way while the Chibok girls were taken away in 2014 and held in captivity for over 3 years. Due to our commitment, over 100 Chibok girls have been rescued and reunited with their families, sent back to school and empowered with requisite skills.

You may recall that recently, our negotiation efforts led to the release of abducted University of Maiduguri lecturers, some women Police personnel, students and even an NYSC member. We, therefore, have no doubt that the Dapchi girls will be rescued or released. I can reassure parents, Nigerians and the International Community that we will do all that is within our power to make sure that the girls are brought back safely to their families.

I have ordered a 24 hour brief to me by security agencies on its successes or challenges. While expecting the report of the Committee set up to investigate the abduction for implementation, I have asked that appropriate Federal Government authorities be in constant touch with the Yobe State Government and other neighbouring States to ensure a common strategy and line of action.

There will be no rest till the last girl, whether from Chibok and Dapchi, is released. The girls, like all our citizens, must enjoy unhindered freedom and pursue their legitimate aspirations.

The Dapchi and Chibok students are our girls and must enjoy our protection. They must live to achieve their individual ambitions, to be great women of tomorrow. It is our duty to protect them. We are determined to restore peace to all part of the country – from the West to the East; North to the South. While calling for calm, I implore affected parents and families to restrain from making statements that may jeopardize the success of the rescue mission.

We are aware of orchestrations by some evil elements to take advantage of the development to score cheap political points. I call on law abiding citizens to shun activities and statements that may cause a breakdown of law and order.

The Government, under my watch, will continue to maintain normalcy and ensure that incidents of this nature are stopped. Be assured that measures are being put in place to achieve these objectives.

Thank you and may Almighty Allah bless our country.

Press Release: In Dapchi, President Buhari Pledges Safe Return of Abducted Schoolgirls

After meeting with stakeholders in Damaturu, Yobe State, President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday proceeded to Dapchi where he reassured parents of the abducted schoolgirls that the Federal Government will not rest on its oars, until their wards are safely brought back home.

The President, who was accompanied by Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, said he had directed full scale aerial surveillance and investigation to ensure that the girls were returned safely.

“I have read the full report of what happened in Dapchi. As I received the report, I was saddened and I am praying that God will continue to console you,” he said.

President Buhari also said that government will ensure that the Boko Haram menace is totally brought to an end.

“Boko Haram was in control of many local councils in Borno and some parts of Yobe State before we came. Now it has resorted to using young girls for suicide missions in mosques, churches and motor parks.

“We will not spare their members. We will ensure that Boko Haram meets its waterloo. By the will of God, I have directed the police and reinforced them, and the army and air force to keep searching until the children are returned alive,” he said.

Governor Gaidam had promised that the state government would continue to provide all the necessary support to security agencies to enable them embark on a successful search and rescue of the girls.

In her remarks, the Principal of the Government Girls’ Science/Technical Secondary School, Dapchi, Mrs Adama Abdulkarim, said some gunmen stormed the school premises and started shooting at about 7.00pm on February 20, 2018.

“We had a roll call and realised 110 girls were missing; out of 906 girls, we had 796,” she explained.

A representative of the parents, Alhaji Bashir Manzo, appealed to the Federal Government to do all within its means for the safe return of the girls.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)
March 14, 2018.

Press Release: President Buhari To Visit Taraba, Benue, Yobe, Zamfara and Rivers States

In view of recent terrorist attacks, criminal activities and communal clashes in some States leading to tragic loss of lives and kidnapping of 110 schoolgirls, President Muhammadu Buhari immediately tasked the Armed Forces and other Security agencies to compile comprehensive reports on the various incidents.

Having received and studied the Reports, the President has decided to undertake an on the spot assessment of the various occurrences and to meet and console the communities affected.

From today, March 5, he will visit Taraba, and subsequently Benue, Yobe, Zamfara and Rivers States.

President Buhari has been receiving daily briefings, and has been in constant touch with the Governors, and has been updated with situation reports.

The President calls on all Nigerians especially those in the affected areas to cooperate fully with the Security Agencies to enable them curb the spate of crimes, bring those responsible to justice and prevent further occurrences.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
March 5, 2018.