Dapchi girls: Fayose berates FG

…AS MUSLIM RIGHT GROUP HAILS GIRL FOR DEFENDING RELIGION

Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, says the manner in which the Dapchi schoolgirls were abducted and returned is a clear demonstration that the federal government is fooling itself.

In a statement on Thursday, the governor said the whole process was shrouded in secrecy, raising more questions than answers.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari has failed Nigerians in the area of security which was one of the three cardinal points in the campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“One wonders the basis for the party to applaud President Muhammadu Buhari’s claim of bringing back home those innocent Dapchi girls that ought not to have been abducted in the first place if not for the government’s laxity,” he said.

“Most importantly, that the abduction and return of the girls took place without resistance is a sign that the APC-led federal government has lost the war against insurgency, the basis for which it came to power. It is also a clear indication that Nigerians can no longer depend on the clueless government for their safety.

“The removal of military checkpoints in Dapchi ahead of the abduction, as confirmed by Ibrahim Geidam, governor of Yobe state, clearly shows the complicity of the federal government and some individuals profiting from the whole saga.

“Despite security alerts by the locals, the military looked the other way, which necessitated the damning report by the Amnesty International. To the amazement of Nigerians, 24 hours after, the abductors brought back the girls. I believe the true story of this Dapchi abduction will be told one day.”

The governor, however, rejoiced with the families of the returned Dapchi girls and sympathised with those of the deceased.

“It is obvious that this present APC operates by propaganda. I urge Nigerians not to lose hope as help is on the way,” he said.

Meanwhile, a muslim right movement under the aegis of The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has asked the federal government to return to the negotiation table in order to secure the release of the only Christian among the 110 abducted Dapchi schoolgirls.

On Wednesday, 104 of the girls were returned to Dapchi by some Boko Haram members.

While five of the girls were said to have died in captivity, Liya Sharibu, the only Christian among them, was detained for allegedly refusing to convert to Islam or wear the hijab.

In a statement on Thursday, Ishaq Akintola, director of the group, said the basis for holding Sharibu back is “faulty and unIslamic”.

Akintola said the decision of the sect to keep Sharibu captive was a move to divide Nigeria along religious lines.

“We reject Boko Haram as an Islamic group. We urge the leadership and members of the group to re-examine its ideological base,” the statement read.

“Leah Sherubu must be set free because the basis for holding her after setting her schoolmates free is faulty and unIslamic. We charge (FG) to go back to the negotiation table in order to secure the release of the only Christian girl among the Dapchi girls who is being held back by the insurgents.

“FG should note that Boko Haram is not as daft as many people think. By withholding the Christian girl, they seek to divide Nigerians once again along religious lines.”

The group commended Sharibu’s courage for refusing to bow to pressure in violation of her fundamental human right.

“Our hearts are heavy with grief over her plight. We salute her courage. Shame on Boko Haram for oppressing a lone, vulnerable and helpless girl. Shame on all those who suppress freedom of worship,” the statement read.

“We appeal to Nigerians to invoke special prayers in the mosques and churches for this Christian girl who had the courage to stare her oppressors in the face. We should also continue to pray for the remaining Chibok girls.”

Nata Sharibu, Liya Sharibu’s father, said he was that happy his girl did not denounce Christ.

“They gave her the option of converting in order to be released but she said she will never become a Muslim… I am very sad but I am also jubilating too because my daughter did not denounce Christ,” he had said.