The
Musab al-Barnawi faction of the Boko Haram terrotist group, has
contacted Aisha Wakil over the kidnap of the 110 girls at a secondary
school in Yobe State.
Aisha Wakil
As the Nigerian government extended to neighbouring countries, the
search for the 110 schoolgirls abducted last week in Dapchi, Yobe State,
a human rights activist, Mrs Aisha Wakil, claimed a Boko Haram faction
had contacted her to confirm it has the girls.Aisha Wakil
Aisha Wakil, who is also known as Mama Boko Haram, was a member of
the Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges Committee in
the northern region, set up during the President Goodluck Jonathan era.
In an interview with The News Agency of Nigeria, the activist said the Barnawi faction of Boko Haram contacted her on Thursday.
She added that the abductors confirmed to her that the girls were safe, healthy and in good condition.
In an interview with PRNigeria earlier this week, Wakil had called
on the abductors to release the girls to enable them to be reunited with
their families.
Wakil, who is said to have communication links with Boko Haram and
respected by some leaders of the sect, declared that she was ready to
sacrifice her life to rescue the girls.
Wakil said: "They are even the ones that called me, and said
Mama we heard what you have said and told me that they are with the
girls and they are going to release them.
“I begged of them and said please let this not be another 1,000-plus days of Chibok girls, and they laughed and said no.
“I asked them where I can come and stay with them (girls) for two days, but they did not say anything.
“I can assure Nigerians that so far they are with my son Habib
and his friends; Habib is a nice guy, he is very nice boy. He will not
harm them, he will not touch them, and he will not kill them.
“He is going to listen to us, and so far he indicated interest
that he loves peace. And I love them for that and believe what they said
on this.
“They will definitely give us the girls. All I am begging
Nigerians is to calm down, be prayerful, everything will be over in God
grace”.
NAN reports that the activist had at various times participated and
played key role in negotiations between the military authorities and
Boko Haram insurgents’ commanders, which facilitated released of
numerous abductees from terrorists’ captivity.
In a statement today, the Federal Government announced it has
stepped up the search for the 110 girls to the neighbouring countries.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said
top military and security officials on Thursday travelled to the
North-east to add more urgency to the search, which has now been
extended beyond the North-east theatre.
The officials include the nation’s top military officer and Chief
of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice
Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai
and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji
Lawal Daura.
They joined the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
who had earlier relocated to the North-east, as well as the National
Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who has also
visited the theatre.
The Federal Government had earlier released the names and other
details of the 110 girls who have yet to be accounted for, following the
attack on the GGSTC, Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.
The panel set up by the Federal Government to unravel the
circumstances surrounding the abduction of the girls was inaugurated on
Thursday by the NSA.
(NAN)
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