Maiduguri: The fate of more than 100 girls and young women abducted by Islamic extremists was thrown into uncertainty on Thursday when their school principal denied a report from Nigeria’s military that almost all the students were free.
“Up till now we are still waiting and praying for the safe return of the students … the security people, especially the vigilantes and the well-meaning volunteers of Gwoza are still out searching for them. The military people too are in the bush searching,” the principal, Asabe Kwambura, told The Associated Press by telephone.
She said only 14 of the 129 girls kidnapped by gunmen before dawn Tuesday have returned to Chibok town, four who jumped from the back of a truck and 10 who escaped into the bush when their abductors asked them to cook a meal.
Major Gen. Chris Olukolade, the Defense Ministry spokesman, said in a statement late Wednesday night that all but eight of the students have been accounted for. Olukolade could not immediately be reached for further comment. Kwambura was adamant: “So let it be clear that all the information passed on to the media by the military concerning 107 girls is not true.” Borno state Gov.
Kashim Shettima offered a reward of some USD 300,000 for information leading to the release of the young women, aged between 16 and 18.
The government had reported that security forces were in hot pursuit of the militants.
The attacks undermine government and military claims that security forces are containing the uprising that began five years ago in the extreme northeast of the country. (AP)
