Mike Omeri, chairman of the National Information Centre, has revealed that the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok Borno State in April would be rescued as soon as the “right strategy” is adopted.
Omeri made the revelation in an interview on Sunday, saying the military is looking to adopt a strategy that would guarantee that the girls are rescued alive and unhurt.
He corroborated the information given by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh on 25th May that the Military already knows the location of the girls. Badeh had revealed then, that the military would not consider the use of force because of the need to prevent the insurgents from killing the hostages. He emphasised that the military knew what it was doing and should be allowed to do its duty, undisturbed.
Omeri referred to the rescue operation of two Europeans kidnapped by Boko Haram in Sokoto State in May 2011, where both victims were killed in the manoeuvre as one reason why the Military is not going to rush in to the rescue operation of the girls.
“These girls need to be brought home alive and it is the strategy that will make the difference,” Omeri said.
But, a leader of Chibok Community in Abuja, Tsambido Abana, is advocating for the Federal Government to negotiate with Boko Haram for the release of the schoolgirls. He urged the government to reach out to the insurgents via the many individuals who have access to them, saying delay may expose the girls to sexual abuse by the insurgents.
“Many people have access to the sect, including a serving senator, but the government has refused to listen to advice that it should negotiate with Boko Haram for the release of the girls,” Abana said.
“Obasanjo was right that some of the girls may not be seen again because when somebody is taken away from home for over two months now, anything can happen.”
Abana said his people are still hopeful that there would be a breakthrough in the efforts to secure the release of the girls, noting that delay is dangerous.
