Boko Haram returns kidnapped schoolgirls, 5 dead

The Dapchi schoolgirls who were abducted on February 19, 2018 by Boko Haram terrorists, have returned home.
Five of the 110 girls died in Boko Haram custody, Pulse has learnt, implying that only 105 returned to Dapchi. The number of the returned Dapchi girls have not been confirmed.
It's been a month since the Dapchi girls were kidnapped from their school hostel.
According to Sahara Reporters, the terrorists arrived Dapchi with the girls in 9 vehicles; same way they had taken them away.
"There
was confusion in the area as members of the community scampered into
the bush as the terror group appeared in the area, first dropping off
one of the girls in a nearby village and then driving into the center of
Dapchi town to drop off the rest of the girls. Five of the girls are
dead according to our source. It is not clear if the Nigerian government
paid any ransom to get the girls released", the Sahara Reporters statement read.
BBC correspondent, Stephanie Hegarty writes that; "Initially
called scared, people were fleeing. Then they saw the girls in a big
vehicle. Unclear whether Boko Haram militants exited town yet.
"Confirmed from several sources. Girls have been returned to Dapchi".
On March 17, 2018, Defence Minister Mansur Dan-Ali, promised that the girls were going to be released soon.
"It
can be earlier; maybe a week, it can be two weeks, but we are on it,
and I’m telling you with all sense of sincerity that we are closing in
on them", Dan-Ali had said.
The Nigerian presidency has also confirmed the return of the girls.
No rest
On a visit to Yobe State on March 14, 2018, President Buhari had vowed that he won't sleep until the girls return home to their parents.
“I
am here in Yobe State today, to express my sincere sympathies with the
parents, families, the government and the entire people of Yobe State
whose daughters were callously abducted by unrepentant terrorists.
"Since
this ugly incident happened, I have not left any stone unturned in
making sure that the girls are rescued. I have ordered the Service
Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take direct charge
and brief me on a daily basis on the efforts to bring back the girls".
Buhari also said he was going to negotiate for the return of the girls.
"Furthermore,
the government is partnering with the International Community and
organizations including our neighbours to ensure that these girls are
safely returned. Just recently, I reiterated our resolve to negotiate
for the unconditional release of the girls. This is borne out of this
administration’s conviction that, doing so is safer devoid of risks and
will not endanger the lives of our young girls who are in harm’s way.
"There
will be no rest till the last girl, whether from Chibok and Dapchi, is
released. The girls, like all our citizens, must enjoy unhindered
freedom and pursue their legitimate aspirations,” President Buhari had said.
The kidnap of the Dapchi schoolgirls mirrors the abduction of 276 from Chibok on April 14, 2014.
The Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) advocacy group has been clamouring for the rescue of Dapchi and Chibok girls and other captives in Boko Haram custody.
Over
164 Chibok girls have so far returned home following negotiations
between the federal government and the terrorists; with 112 still in
Boko Haram custody.
Boko Haram returns kidnapped schoolgirls, 5 dead
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