The return of the 82 Chibok girls has been a source of controversy among Nigerians, from criticism of the presidency to praise for the huge achievement.
What are the facts of the matter according to the Nigerian presidency. Below is the statement released:
1. How many girls have been freed so far?
One hundred and six (106) of the abducted Chibok school girls have so far found freedom. 21 were freed by Boko Haram in October 2016, and 82 in May 2017.
Three girls escaped individually, in May 2016, November 2016 and January 2017 respectively.
Chibok girls with President Buhari
In addition to the girls there are 4 babies, also in the care of the Government. All 4 babies belong to mothers within the batch of 24 (21 + 3) girls.
2. What do we know about the 82 girls most recently freed?
The 82 girls were safely released by Boko Haram to the Department of State Services (DSS) on Saturday May 6, 2017, in Borno State — after a lengthy series of negotiations involving local and international stakeholders.
The International Committee of the Red Cross acted as neutral intermediaries for the handover of the girls from Boko Haram to the Nigerian Government.
The 82 girls were flown to Abuja on Sunday May 7, 2017. They met with President Buhari that day.
3. Were the girls swapped for Boko Haram fighters?
Yes. The Federal Government disclosed this as soon as the girls were released. Please note that President Buhari has repeatedly stated his readiness to swap fighters for the girls, if necessary. We have no regrets or apologies for the swap.
READ ALSO: 25-year-old former Boko Haram commander reveals how he married 2 Chibok school girls (photo, video)
4. Where are the 82 girls currently?
The 82 girls are being held in a secure medical facility in Abuja, with access to a team of medical doctors, psychologists, social workers and trauma experts.
They are undergoing medical checks and tests, and receiving appropriate courses of treatment where necessary.
Their physical and psychological wellbeing is and continues to be the utmost priority of the Federal Government.
5. Have the girls’ families been contacted?
Yes, the parents and families of all the girls have been contacted, and arrangements are already being made to reunite them with the girls.
We expect that this reunion will happen in the week commencing 15th May, 2017.
READ ALSO: Chibok girls are undergoing medical, psychology treatment – Presidency
6. What’s the next step regarding the released girls?
They will be given appropriate and comprehensive medical and psychological care and support. The Federal Government will underwrite all of the care they will receive, as well as their educational ambitions.
The ultimate goal is to reunite them with their families, reintegrate them into the society, and support them to achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals and ambitions.
7. What about the rest of the Chibok girls still being held by Boko Haram?
Negotiations are continuing for their release. The sensitive nature of the situation means that there are limits to the kind of information that can be released to the public
8. What’s happening with the 21 girls freed in October 2016
The previously freed girls (21 freed in October 2016, and the additional 3 that gained their freedom in May 2016, November 2016 and January 2017 respectively) are in a secure location in Abuja, undergoing a 9-month Reintegration and Rehabilitation Programme comprising the following:
· Psychological Counselling and Care
· Remedial Education
· Vocational Training (skills like Catering and Tailoring)
· Sports and Recreation (Football and Handball)
9. Is it true that the Federal Government is holding the previously released 21 girls against their wishes?
This is absolutely false. The girls and their parents have made it clear to the Federal Government that they wish to remain under the care of the Federal Government in Abuja at this time.
The girls are all in high spirits, and are enthusiastic about taking advantage of this opportunity for education and self-development.
At no point have they or will they be compelled to remain in the care of the government against their will.
At the end of the reintegration programme, the girls will take up Federal Government scholarships for the completion of their secondary education.
The newly-released 82 girls will enjoy the same opportunities accorded the 24 previously rescued girls.
10. Is it true that the families of the 21 girls are being prevented from having access to them?
This is absolutely false. The girls’ families are regularly in Abuja to see them. Chibok girls are high-profile targets, and the Government is taking the utmost care to ensure their security and safety.
The girls have also been scheduled for quarterly visits back home to Chibok, subject to security clearance by the authorities.
They visited for Christmas, and were due to return at Easter, but the security conditions back home did not permit the April trip. Instead their families travelled to Abuja to see them.
Also note that the persons complaining about being denied access to the 21 girls are not their biological parents or guardians.
We are very careful who we grant access to, to see the girls. We will only grant access to their biological parents and/or direct guardians, and not community members, both for security and for psychological reasons.
We do not want people to keep asking them questions that will make them relive the horrible experiences they had while in captivity.
Meanwhile, Boko Haram has just released a second video regarding the abducted Chibok girls that refused to return from captivity.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that in the new video about 4 Chibok girls were spotted with one clutching an AK 47 explaining why they refused to return to their parents.
According to top Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida the Chibok girl with an AK47 is Maida Yakubu.
Watch a video of the Chibok girls below:
‘);
});
}(window, document);
0naze
No comments:
Post a Comment