UN Calls For “Unconditional Release” Of Dapchi Girls

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students of the Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, in Yobe State.

In a statement by his spokesman on Nigeria, Stephane Dujarric, on Wednesday, Mr Guterres condemned the attack that led to the abduction of the girls by suspected Boko Haram terrorists from their school on Monday last week.

The UN boss, who is gravely concerned over the situation, asked the Nigerian government to ensure the safe return of the girls to their families.

He also urged the national authorities to swiftly bring those responsible for the act to justice.

The Secretary-General further reassured the Federal Government of the solidarity and support of the United Nations and other affected countries in the region in their fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

While there had been disputing figures of the abducted girls, the Federal Government put the total number of students unaccounted for after the attack at 110.

In a bid to further prove this, the names and full details of the girls were made public in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed.

Prior to the release of the statement, President Muhammadu Buhari had vowed to ensure the release of all Nigerians in the custody of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The President made the pledge on Monday in Abuja when he received the University of Maiduguri lecturers and 10 women who recently regained freedom from the insurgents.

In his words, President Buhari said: “I can’t fully express the joy I felt I this afternoon, as I received our citizens recently released from Boko Haram captivity — fathers, mothers, sons, daughters. We will go to any length to ensure that no one is left behind in the hands of terrorists. Every Nigerian life matters!”

“There were the University of Maiduguri lecturers, abducted while on service to their fatherland, and also the women abducted from a funeral procession. Today they are safely back home, and Nigeria rejoices with them and with their families,” he added.