Dapchi Girls Release: Matters Arising (II) by Salaam Rasak O.
Sequel to the successful release of 104 Dapchi girls on Wednesday, 21st of March, 2018, there have been outright mixed reactions to the event in light of the unreleased six girls (five acclaimed dead while one still held captive for retaining Christianity faith) coupled with the modalities upon which they were rescued or released.
Against this backdrop, several conspiracy theories have been making wave. While the release of the girls ought to have been met with celebration and encomiums on the government, the People's Democratic Party, PDP, National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan said the abduction and consequent release was stage managed. Quoting, “Our Party considers this act as wicked, callous and tormenting to use innocent schoolgirls as pawns in an ignoble script that was designed to hoodwink Nigerians and orchestrate a great rescue and security prowess of a conquering general, all to push a 2019 reelection bid, is an unpardonable gamble with human lives.”
On the contrary, another conspiracy theory holds that the timely successful release of the Dapchi girls was an indication that Nigeria’s military is vibrant and the Federal government is more concerned about security. Lending voice to this, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed admonished the opposition party saying, “The PDP over-reached itself and scored an own goal at a time it could simply have congratulated the government and people of Nigeria on the release of the girls or just keep quiet. ”
Amongst these contradictory viewpoints, there are pertinent questions that should be asked within the context of objectivity. That the government refused to disclose the conditions they fulfilled before the girls could be released may be unchallenged for confidentiality, yet they are obliged to explain to the parents of the yet-to-be released or killed girls. Not too far, after the government claimed usual sagacity, Sahara Reporter discloses that the government paid 5 million Euros as ransom.
We hold no dissatisfaction against the move, for every typically responsible government should go any length to rescue her citizens even it is one. It should be recalled that in the 30 years to 2015, Israel set free 7,500 Palestinian and Arab prisoners in exchange for 14 living Israeli hostages and six dead bodies. Similarly, to secure a single soldier, Gilad Shalit, in 2011, US released 1,027 prisoners. For its soldier, Bowe Bergdhal, to breathe the air of freedom in 2014, the US government negotiated through the Afghani, Pakistani and Qatari governments and released five hardened Taliban militants. Ditto, Nigeria made it through International Red Cross, Switzerland government among others. A denial that no sacrifice was made with the view of claiming pyrrhic victory before the dastard terrorists irked every national.
Again, the foregoing further justify and murder the nauseating claim that the hardened terrorists, Boko Haram, has been ‘technically defeated’. Thus, there is need for the government to take bull’s eye. It is a truism that Boko Haram has much been with us for consecutive nine years, reigning disaster and weakening the government under different administrations; it is therefore an unforgivable mistake to say it was stage managed. The centrifugal forces of the opposition at the eve of Boko Haram led to its wild growth and extension. More than any other time, there is need for concerted efforts with the view of overpowering the insurgents. We give a tacit kudos to the government for the swift rescue of the girls and urge them to pressurize more on adequate security of all schools within the region, more particularly, female dominated schools. As it is believed, prevention is better than cure. I hope the Chibok and Dapchi sagas be lessons for only listening government.
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Again, the foregoing further justify and murder the nauseating claim that the hardened terrorists, Boko Haram, has been ‘technically defeated’. Thus, there is need for the government to take bull’s eye. It is a truism that Boko Haram has much been with us for consecutive nine years, reigning disaster and weakening the government under different administrations; it is therefore an unforgivable mistake to say it was stage managed.
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