Boko Haram: #BringBackOurGirls Campaigners lament lack of information

Oby Ezekwezili addresses #BringBackOurGirls protesters in Abuja

#BringBackOurGirls campaigners on Sunday said it is disheartening that there is no information on measures being taken to rescue the over 200 girls kidnapped from a school by Boko Haram on 14 April, 2014.

The group which said this in its report on second week of operation against Boko Haram insurgents in the North Eastern part of the country by Nigeria troops and its neighbours said based on the assurances given by President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the military, it has been expecting a concerted effort to rescue the 219 ChibokGirls who have remained in the custody of the insurgents for over 300 days.

“It is thus disheartening that in the fourteen days of the operations, there has so far not been any mention of the specific measures targeted at their rescue. We are immensely worried that there seems to be a repeat of the eerie silence that characterized earlier purported rescue operations for the girls,” the group said in a statement signed by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and eight other leaders in Abuja.

“We therefore encourage the Federal Government and the Military to urgently douse the anxieties of their parents and the general public on how the plans for their rescue intersect with the ongoing operations. Our key desirable from the relaunched operation is that these long suffering young women and other abductees be rescued from the enemy den. We therefore urge that our Military be unwavering in achieving this objective,” the group which reiterated its support for the ongoing operations against Boko Haram by the military said.

However, the group want the military to be forthcoming on information about the progress being recorded in the ongoing operations like the towns that have been liberated from occupation of terrorists and the ones still under occupation. The group said this can be achieved by embedding journalists among the troops like other countries participating in the war against the insurgents have done.

“Following the confusion on which towns were under terrorist occupation or not before the renewed offensive, it has been difficult to fully follow the multiple victories of reclamation by our military. It is therefore expedient to publish for the benefit of citizens, the list of towns and communities that the Military acknowledges as still remaining under the control of the terrorists.

“Such transparency would serve the purpose of helping citizens fully appreciate news of re-captured territories. Our expectation based on the Federal Government and military stated objective is that ALL territories of Nigeria must be reclaimed from Boko Haram at the end of the six weeks renewed offensive.

“Another important expectation is for our military to advance on all terrorist locations to capture the terrorists and destroy their operational capacity and end their operation in Nigeria and the neighbouring territory. We do hope that as much information on the workings of the terrorists are being gathered in the course of the renewed offensive as our military decimates their enclaves,” the statement said.

The group also advised that in reclaiming all terrorist occupied territories, a robust security arrangement should be put in place for the returning Internally Displaced Persons so that they can fully resettle into normal life as quickly as possible. It also noted that it is not time yet for the military and government to rejoice over victory against the insurgents.

“The growing positive shift in the dynamics of the insurgency war rightly evokes a mood of victory. We however advise that the Federal Government and the Military should eschew any form of triumphalism at this time. Considering the huge objectives that remain a singleminded focus on achieving more targets would help ensure minimal distraction that our soldiers need for TOTAL VICTORY against our common enemies.

The group said it is eagerly look forward to victory of Nigerian military and the MNJTF against Boko Haram while it is extremely hopeful that the military will succeed in bringing back #ChibokGirls.

“We are confident that Nigeria shall see an end of insurgent operations within and terrorist incursion into our territories. We wait in great and anxious expectation for the return of order, normalcy, peace and security to Northeast, Nigeria.

“Once again, we continue to be proud of our gallant fighting men and women of the military and the MNJTF, (not forgetting the Civilian JTF), in the frontline of battle and wish them resounding success in the weeks ahead,” the group said.