Aisha Wakil, who is also known as
Mama Boko Haram, was a member of the Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of
Security Challenges Committee in the northern region, set up during the
President Goodluck Jonathan era.
In an
interview with The News Agency of Nigeria, the activist said the Barnawi
faction of Boko Haram contacted her on Thursday.
She added
that the abductors confirmed to her that the girls were safe, healthy and in
good condition.
In an
interview with PRNigeria earlier this week, Wakil had called on the abductors
to release the girls to enable them to be reunited with their families.
Wakil, who
is said to have communication links with Boko Haram and respected by some
leaders of the sect, declared that she was ready to sacrifice her life to rescue
the girls.
Wakil said:
They are even the ones that called me, and said Mama we heard what you have
said and told me that they are with the girls and they are going to release
them.
“I begged of
them and said please let this not be another 1,000-plus days of Chibok girls,
and they laughed and said no.
“I asked
them where I can come and stay with them (girls) for two days, but they did not
say anything.
“I can
assure Nigerians that so far they are with my son Habib and his friends; Habib
is a nice guy, he is very nice boy. He will not harm them, he will not touch
them, and he will not kill them.
“He is going
to listen to us, and so far he indicated interest that he loves peace. And I
love them for that and believe what they said on this.
“They will
definitely give us the girls. All I am begging Nigerians is to calm down, be
prayerful, everything will be over in God grace”.
NAN reports
that the activist had at various times participated and played key role in
negotiations between the military authorities and Boko Haram insurgents’
commanders, which facilitated released of numerous abductees from terrorists’
captivity.
In a
statement today, the Federal Government announced it has stepped up the search
for the 110 girls to the neighbouring countries.
The Minister
of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said top military and security
officials on Thursday travelled to the North-east to add more urgency to the
search, which has now been extended beyond the North-east theatre.
The
officials include the nation’s top military officer and Chief of Defence Staff,
Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas;
Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Director-General of the
Department of State Services, Alhaji Lawal Daura.
They joined
the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who had earlier relocated
to the North-east, as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen.
Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who has also visited the theatre.
The Federal
Government had earlier released the names and other details of the 110 girls
who have yet to be accounted for, following the attack on the GGSTC, Dapchi,
Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.
The panel
set up by the Federal Government to unravel the circumstances surrounding the
abduction of the girls was inaugurated on Thursday by the NSA.(NAN)
Aisha Wakil, who is
also known as Mama Boko Haram, was a member of the Dialogue and Peaceful
Resolution of Security Challenges Committee in the northern region, set
up during the President Goodluck Jonathan era.
In an interview with The News Agency of Nigeria, the activist said the
Barnawi faction of Boko Haram contacted her on Thursday.
She added that the abductors confirmed to her that the girls were safe,
healthy and in good condition.
In an interview with PRNigeria earlier this week, Wakil had called on
the abductors to release the girls to enable them to be reunited with
their families.
Wakil, who is said to have communication links with Boko Haram and
respected by some leaders of the sect, declared that she was ready to
sacrifice her life to rescue the girls.
Wakil said: They are even the ones that called me, and said Mama we
heard what you have said and told me that they are with the girls and
they are going to release them.
“I begged of them and said please let this not be another 1,000-plus
days of Chibok girls, and they laughed and said no.
“I asked them where I can come and stay with them (girls) for two days,
but they did not say anything.
“I can assure Nigerians that so far they are with my son Habib and his
friends; Habib is a nice guy, he is very nice boy. He will not harm
them, he will not touch them, and he will not kill them.
“He is going to listen to us, and so far he indicated interest that he
loves peace. And I love them for that and believe what they said on
this.
“They will definitely give us the girls. All I am begging Nigerians is
to calm down, be prayerful, everything will be over in God grace”.
NAN reports that the activist had at various times participated and
played key role in negotiations between the military authorities and
Boko Haram insurgents’ commanders, which facilitated released of
numerous abductees from terrorists’ captivity.
In a statement today, the Federal Government announced it has stepped up
the search for the 110 girls to the neighbouring countries.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said top
military and security officials on Thursday travelled to the North-east
to add more urgency to the search, which has now been extended beyond
the North-east theatre.
The officials include the nation’s top military officer and Chief of
Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice
Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai
and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji
Lawal Daura.
They joined the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who
had earlier relocated to the North-east, as well as the National
Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), who has also
visited the theatre.
The Federal Government had earlier released the names and other details
of the 110 girls who have yet to be accounted for, following the attack
on the GGSTC, Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 Feb. 2018.
The panel set up by the Federal Government to unravel the circumstances
surrounding the abduction of the girls was inaugurated on Thursday by
the NSA.(NAN)
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/boko-haram-contacted-abducted-dapchi-school-girls-aisha-wakil/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/boko-haram-contacted-abducted-dapchi-school-girls-aisha-wakil/