Nigerian Troops Fled Dapchi Before Schoolgirls’ Abduction – Amnesty Int’l

Troops of the Nigerian Army have been indicted for allegedly fleeing Boko Haram attacks few moments before the terrorists abducted 110 schoolgirls from Dapchi, Yobe State.

Amnesty International (AI), in a fresh report, said the troops fled Dapchi when they got information of a planned attack on the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, by the insurgents.

The human rights organisation accused the military of failing to act when it received reports of the planned schoolgirls’ abduction.

It equally accused operatives of the Nigeria Police of fleeing the insurgents’ attack prior to the schoolgirls’ abduction

Amnesty Internal’s Director in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said in a statement: “Evidence available to Amnesty International suggests that there are insufficient troops deployed in the area and that an absence of patrols and the failure to respond to warnings and engage with Boko Haram contributed to this tragedy.

“The sighting of an armed convoy at Futchimiram immediately sparked several phone calls to alert authorities. Sources who informed the military commander in Geidam at 2 pm report that he responded to them by saying he was aware of the situation and was monitoring it.

“At around 3 pm, the convoy arrived in Gumsa, where they remained till 5pm. People in Gumsa called Dapchi villagers to warn them that Boko Haram fighters were on their way. One villager who received such a call said he informed a police sergeant who promised to notify the Dapchi division police officer (DPO).

“At around 6:30 pm, when residents were heading to the mosque for evening prayers, Boko Haram members entered Dapchi. Witnesses said Boko Haram fighters asked for directions to the military post, the local government office and the girls’ school.

“A police source in Dapchi told Amnesty International that officers fled because they feared that the Boko Haram fighters would overpower them.

“During the attack, army officials both in Geidam and Damaturu were again alerted. The military only arrived in Dapchi one hour after Boko Haram left.

“The Nigerian authorities must investigate the inexcusable security lapses that allowed this abduction to take place without any tangible attempt to prevent it,” the statement read.