‘Nigerian military caused the kidnap of 110 girls in Dapchi’ – Governor Ibrahim Gaidem

Due to the abduction of 110 girls from Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State by Boko Haram, the Governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidem, who before now

dispelled rumour of the Nigerian military freeing the abducted girls, while receiving Borno state governor, Kashim Sheittima, who paid him a sympathy visit over the weekend, blamed the attack on the Nigeria military.

Governor Ibrahim Gaidem who recounted how Boko Haram members attacked the Buni Yadi school for boys in 2014, killing 29 students after troops were withdrawn, said same incident played out after the Nigerian military withdrew troops from Dapchi before the attack. He further said if the soldiers had been on ground, the attack and subsequent abduction of schoolgirls would not have been possible.

“I blame the whole attack on Dapchi on the military and the defence headquarters who withdrew troops from Dapchi. The attack occurred barely a week after the military withdrew the soldiers from there.

Before then, Dapchi has been peaceful, there was never such incident. But just a week after they withdrew the troops, Boko Haram came to attack the town. Let me be quoted anywhere, the military must take blame for the attack on Dapchi.

The same thing happened in 2014 when the military suddenly removed troops guarding the town and a week later Boko Haram went there to attack the town and the secondary school there killing 29 students” he said.

The Yobe State Government also disclosed that it has spent N15.8 billion in the last three years on fighting the Boko Haram insurgency. Most of the expenditure are in form of support for the military, the state said.

Governor Shettima who was in Damaturu on behalf of the Northern Governors’ Forum which he heads, expressed his sympathy to the government and people of Yobe State over the “unfortunate incident”.

“On behalf of the 19 Northern Governors’ forum, we have come to show our sympathy and let you know that we are with you in this traumatic period,” he said.