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 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.
