Dapchi Girls Kidnap : Nigerian Military Was Forewarned About Mass Abductions In Yobe, Yet Withdrew Troops (Docs)
The Oasis Reporters
February 27, 2018
A new document in circulation proves that the Nigerian military was made aware that Boko Haram terrorists were planning a mass abduction of girls in Yobe and Bornu states by the Nigerian Defense Intelligence Agency, yet withdrew troops from Dapchi town in Yobe State days before the strike.
Governor Gaidam of Yobe State has been at pains to stress this fact, and it just won’t go away.
The document obtained by SaharaReporters, a New York based news blog indicated that the Defense Headquarters (DHQ) was notified by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) of plans by Boko Haram militants to carry out a massive attack in February.
The confidential memo dated February 6, 2018, and titled “Plans By BHT To Carry Out Massive Attacks In Maiduguri And Damaturu” was signed by Brigadier-General E A Adeniyi, which stated that intelligence gathered by the agency indicated that the most likely targets of large-scale Boko Haram attack will be the University of Maiduguri, mosques, markets, and parks in Borno. To carry out the attacks, the document further revealed that Boko Haram had hired about 17 suicide bombers, who were ready to strike as well as carry out abductions.
Specifically, the document stated and warned of mass abductions:”Similarly, mass abductions are ongoing purportedly to be used as Personnel-Borne Improvised Explosive Device”
This is in addition to Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device, using especially Golf cars with registration numbers from states of the North,” the document stated.
To forestall a realisation of the terrorists’ plans, the DIA said it was directed to request the DHQ to instruct troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to maintain high alert and vigilance. It also instructed that troops at checkpoints should pay special attention to Golf cars, but approach such with caution.
The military, however, disregarded the instruction to stay on high alert, as troops were withdrawn from Dapchi in Yobe state, where over 100 school girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram from an all-girls high school on Monday 19th of February 2018, the girls were later taken to Kanama on the Nigerian-Nigerien border according to sources.
Deputy Director (Public Relations), the Theatre Command, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement, said the military should not be blamed for the latest round of horror, as troops handed a peaceful and calm situation to the Police. however, the Nigerian police has denied the claim, stating there was not proper handing-over done to their men.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sumonu Abdulmaliki, said the military never handed over Dapchi town to the Police.
In a personally signed statement, Mr. Abdulmaliki explained that Yobe State remains a security emergency being monitored by security agencies.
The events however have proven that the Boko Haram insurgency has become a massive business enterprise with high payoffs and fat cats profiting from the war economy.
It is curious to note that the warning was insistent on Bornu and Yobe states in the north east. And the mass kidnap took place in Dapchi, at least two weeks before the strike.
Why did the withdrawal take place?
More questions and answers, and the blame game continues to take the nation on a merry go round.
Source : Sahara Reporters
