Dapchi: Army denies withdrawal before school girls' abduction

The Nigerian Army on Monday dismissed as “misleading”, alleged withdrawal of troops to aid abduction of female students of Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe.
Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in a statement issued in Maiduguri, said the allegation against the military “is not only unfortunate, but also very far from the truth”. Gov. Ibrahim Geidam had reportedly alleged that the withdrawal of the troops from the area was responsible for the attack and abduction of female students of the college. The Federal Government had on Sunday confirmed the abduction of 110 girls from the school by armed men. Nwachukwu disclosed that Dapchi town was handed over to the police following the return of peace and civil authority in the area. “Contrary to the comments credited to Gov. Ibrahim Geidam, troops earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian – Nigerien border. “This is on the premise that Dapchi has been relatively calm and peaceful, and the security of Dapchi was formally handed over to the Nigeria Police Division located in the town. “Therefore, troops’ redeployment was done in tandem with the exigencies of operation as against the misconstrued notion." Nwachukwu noted that the Theatre Command would not be joined in the blame game, but rather remained committed to ensuring successful implementation of the counter-insurgency operation in the North-East. Nwachukwu reiterated the commitment of the military in carrying out its mandate to fight Boko Haram terrorists, restoration of peace and rescue of the abducted school girls. The army spokesman called on the people to cooperate with the military and provide credible information on Boko Haram insurgents. “We assure parents, government, the good people of Yobe and indeed, members of the public that we will not rest on our oars in the search and rescue of the abducted school girls and any other persons held captive by the terrorists’’ he said. (NAN)