EXCLUSIVE: Defence Headquarters ‘Unaware’ Of Dapchi Girls’ Release

There is indication that the Defence Headquarters was unaware of the release of some Dapchi girls in the early hours of Wednesday by their abductors.

THE WHISTLER learnt from DHQ sources that the announcement of the girls release took them by surprise, and they were about denying the release.

“I can confirm to you that the military authorities here (Abuja) were not even aware of the release. We were almost going to deny the development,” the source said.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the release of the girls was through back channels following a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to all security agencies to do everything possible to secure the release of the Dapchi school girls.

He said the girls were released around 3 a.m. through back-channel efforts and with the help of some friends of the country, and that it was unconditional.

”For the release to work, the government had a clear understanding that violence and confrontation would not be the way out as it could endanger the lives of the girls, hence a non-violent approach was the preferred option.

”Within the period when the girls were being brought back, operational pause was observed in certain areas to ensure free passage and also that lives were not lost,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

Efforts to speak with the Major General John Enenche, Director, Defence information, was unsuccessful as his phone did not connect.