Once bitten, twice shy. This is the lesson the federal government of Nigeria has taken to heart by promptly providing the details of the girls who were abducted by Boko Haram in Dapchi, Yobe state, last week. In 2014, when a similar incident occurred, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan dragged its feet to no end.
According to a statement released this week by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, “Of the 110 missing girls, eight are in JSS1, 17 in JSS2, 12 in JSS3, 40 in SS1, 19 in SS2 and 14 in SS3. The girls’ ages range from 11 to 19 years.
Alhaji Mohammed said the details were compiled by a screening committee. “The 26 screening committee members include the Executive Secretary, State Teaching Service Board, Musa Abdulsalam; Director, Schools’ Management, Ministry of Education, Shuaibu Bulama; Principal of the college, Adama Abdulkarim; the two vice- principals, Ali Mabu and Abdullahi Lampo; Admission Officer, Bashir Yerima, and the Form Masters for all the classes,” he said.
Apart from providing details of the missing girls, the Minister also announced that the government had set up a 12-member committee to probe the circumstances that led to the Dapchi incident and submit its report by the 15th of this month.
Alhaji Mohammed said the committee would also recommend measures to prevent future occurrence in the country and suggest measures that can lead to the location and rescue of the girls.
According to the statement, “The committee which was convened by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, will be chaired by a military officer of the rank of Major-General”.
It also comprised of one senior provost from each arm of the military and representatives of the nation’s security outfits as well as two representatives of the Yobe State Government.
