Everything about Chibok smelled funky! Why did residents have to ask army permission to leave? - Princess Pako

A twitter used has used her handle to share what she experienced in 2015 when she went to interview the families of the Chibok schoolgirls.

Read what she wrote below:

"I think it's time to share what I learnt in 2015 when I went to Chibok to interview the families of those girls. 

All our biggest fears were proven to be true when I got there. The locals feel the truth. "Political boko haram" is very real 

These people lived with those that started the religious boko haram. So they knew when it got out of hand 

The parents told us stories about how they were one of the few Christian LGs in Borno and have always been punished for it. 

The day these girls were kidnapped the VP adviced girls from his village not to go to school. So only 2 girls from Likama ward were taken. 

They burnt down his house, because they wanted answers, but somehow he found protection. They burnt down the LGC house too. 

They burnt down his house, because they wanted answers, but somehow he found protection. They burnt down the LGC house too. 

When we arrived Chibok, they gave us the run around. A military gate was planted in front of Chibok and the residents need exeats to leave! 

As curious journalists na, we found away to conduct or interviews around the area. But the army was pissed off, they came looking for us. 

At one time the chairman of the missing girls was even arrested for his frequent visits with us, they asked him what he was telling them 

They had already been trying so hard to discredit him, telling the other parents that he was getting paid for his work and all. 

Our guide, who had once been taken under the wing of Boko Haram authority knew that taking so many girls was not part of their MO 

We managed to sneak in Chibok eventually and an army officer told us that BBOG campaigns were the reason the girls weren't back; 

We thought he was crazy. Especially when we saw the look on his face when he said he could kill the organisers with his bare hands. 

We thought he was crazy. Especially when we saw the look on his face when he said he could kill the organisers with his bare hands. 

Everything about Chibok smelled funky! Why did residents have to ask army permission to leave? Why was the army planted there after the fact 

I was under NDA at the time so I couldn't scream from the mountain tops that dirty politicians took those girls. Their parents know! 

They may be illiterate, they may not speak English but they are not stupid! And we as Nigerians are not stupid either! 

The whole debacle was well planned out too! Shekau releasing a video, talking about selling girls; how are they back and healthy now 

Nothing in Nigeria has ever gotten such attention! Everything just to discredit GEJ! And now the girls are just springing up so easily? 

Please what exactly has changed about the military since GEJ left other than new people in charge? Did they get any special training? 

Oh negotiators huh? Why was it so hard to negotiate before now? Possibly because now they are not negotiating with enemies but cohorts 

The families in Chibok even gave us background on how boko haram developed politically. They can connect all the dangerous liaisons. 

I'm still in constant talks with the parents of missing girls association. I still hear the apprehension and fear in their voices. 

And I have promised myself whenever I go back I will uncover this story even if it kills me. It will definitely shake Nigeria. 

Bottomline is, "political Boko Haram", and "this government took these girls" are not false claims. We just need to get the story straight."

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Video: Federal Government is hiding something from us - Chibok schoolgirl's uncle

Recall that in October 2016, 21 Chibok schoolgirls were rescued from the grip of the Boko Haram members.

However, an uncle to one of the 21 girls, Peter Joseph, has accused the  Federal government (FG) of hiding something from them and Nigerian regarding the freedom gained the girls (the 21 in October 2016 and the  recently released 82 Chibok Schoolgirls).

Joseph, speaking in a latest interview with Al Jazeerah, says since his niece was released last year October, she has not been allowed to speak at length with her family members on her experiences with the extremist group.

Peter said, the Nigerian government has prevented the girls from speaking about their experience at the Boko Haram camp. He alleges that there is probably something the Federal government is hiding and does want anybody to hear.

Though, the government had earlier stated that the girls are being kept for reorientation and rehabilitation.

Speaking on Al jazeerah, Joseph accused the FG of keeping those girls in another form of prison since they cannot meet the loved ones and family members.

He said: "It was a great honor and privilege when we heard that our sister was released last October but we are not very much impressed with the way the government is handling the whole rehabilitation process. 

"Since my niece's release, I have met her just once when I traveled down to Chibok last December. 

"We are not even aware of how the rehabilitation process is going on. Nobody is allowed to see them. It is like another imprisonment. I do talk to her on phone.

"She is allowed to talk for two or three minutes and then she would be cut off. There is no chance to ask her certain questions. 

"The last time I spoke to her she said she was coming home for a break because we have an uncle in Abuja, but all of a sudden, she called to say she wasn't coming again. 

"Communication tends to be a problem. I asked her if there is a way we her family members can come and see her and she said no they are not allowed to receive anybody. 

"Only females members can sneak in to see them sometimes but males are not allowed in".

Peter rubbished the claims by the Women Affairs Minister that the 21 rescued Chibok schoolgirls can leave the rehabilitation premises at anytime.

“I think the Women Affairs minister is not saying the truth about this. What does she mean by the girls can leave at anytime they want when they don’t even allow family members or people that are concerned about them to come close to them? 

"I wish she was here so that I would be able to ask her some questions personally because this thing has been bothering us the members of the family. 

"The fact still remains that the Nigerian government needs to be open to the family members; they need to be open to everyone that is concerned. We don’t get it. I mean, are you trying to hide something? Is there something they don’t want us to hear from the girls?
"What are they hiding from us?” 

“I think there is something that the Federal Government does not want us to know. 

"The fact that the girls are popular doesn't mean that their family cannot see them. No matter how popular you are, without your family I don't think your popularity makes any sense. 

"My heart is telling me that there is something the government doesn't want everybody to know. Even when they went to Chbok, they were not allowed to go to their houses. 

"They were kept in government facilities in Chibok and anyone who visited them was made to sign a register, state the village where they came from, whom they wanted to see and then a time limit was given, after which you were asked to leave and there were certain things that you were not allowed to ask the girls. 

"You can’t ask them about their experiences in Sambisa Forest. I mean, we don’t get it. 

"Even now that 82 girls have been rescued, what has the government done about them? Up till today, the families have not met the girls.”

Watch the clip below:

"We need to recondition them back to normal life." Can Nigeria's Chibok girls ever be truly free? https://t.co/OUP08dsDxG on @AJStream

— Malika Bilal (@mmbilal) May 13, 2017

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Army says Nigerians should ignore Boko Haram threats, confirmed leader was swapped with Chibok girls

The Nigerian Army has responded to 2 new videos released by the dreaded Boko Haram group on Friday, May 12, 2017.

Brigadier-Gen. Sani Usman Kukasheka

The army spokesman, Brigadier-General Sani Usman Kukasheka, has released a statement asserting that the videos are just contents of  empty threats and that Nigerians should be disturbed by what they see concerning the video.

The spokesman confirmed that the insurgent's commander that issued the threat was one of those recently swapped in exchange for the Chibok schoolgirls and stated that as a result he cannot make dangerous threats.

The statement read thus: "The attention of Nigerian Army has been drawn to two video clips released by one of the released Boko Haram terrorists in exchange for the abducted Chibok school girls. 

"In the first clip the terrorist, among other things, made boastful and spurious allegations, while the second clip was about alleged indoctrination of some of the abducted Chibok school girls in captivity. 

"We wish to state that the terrorist has lost touch with current realities. 

"It was aimed at seeking relevance and attention. 

"As you are all aware, he was a direct beneficiary of the process that led to the release of 82 of the abducted girls, and does not have a say or capacity to do anything, therefore his threats should be ignored. 

"We would like to assure the public that the Nigerian Army is totally committed to the Federal Government’s determined efforts of rescuing all abducted persons and peace in the country. 

"We will not relent our determined efforts of clearing the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists as manifested through the ongoing clearance operations. 

"The Nigerian Air Force is unrelenting in its bombardment while other Security Agencies are equally doing their best."Therefore, we wish to solicit for more support, cooperation and understanding of the public, particularly members of the Press. 

"We should not give in to terrorists propaganda and empty threats. We have come to a very critical stage of the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria that require more patriotism and security consciousness by all and sundry. 

"Gone were the days when people glamorize terrorists and their criminal acts."

Recall that, before the clip was released on Friday by Boko Haram members, the president's aide, Femi Adesina said that Nigerians should not bother themselves about over the deal that brought about the exchange of Boko Haram insurgents for 82 Chibok girls because security operatives were in full control.

Adesina stated this in a live interview on Channels TV during a programme, Sunrise Daily, where he stated only pockets of attacks occurred in the northeast.

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Proof that Chibok schoolgirls' release was never a scam - The Nation's Journalist

A journalist from The Nation Newspaper, Olola Seun Akioye, has this morning recounted the happiness that lifted the face of the brother to one of the newly released 82 girls, when he got the news of his sister's return on Saturday, May 6.

Akioye shared the story to prove that the abduction and release of the Chibok schoolgirls was never a scam as some Nigerians speculates. This story was shared via his Facebook page, thus find it below;

"I received a phone call today from Bitrus Wavi, a resident of Chibok in Borno state. During my last trip to the town last December, Bitrus was one of my guides, he borrowed me his bicycle to ride around and would take me to the homes of parents whose daughters were missing.  

"After a hard day's work, me and Bitrus would relax under a shed, eat suya and coke. Bitrus' sister Mariamu was among the girls abducted, the day it happened, he jumped on his okada, armed with a stick and pursued the terrorists foolhardy.  

"His parents, who are both blind have relocated to the farm, unable to cope with the incident. But Bitrus never allowed his personal sorrow to change him, he rejoiced with the girls who returned and mourned with those still missing.  

"I kept in touch with Birtrus and other wonderful families in Chibok like the Allen family who housed and fed me, I slept in their best room and ate the best food. (God bless them).  

"So Bitrus called and told me excitedly ." My sister has been released, she is one of the 82 girls released."
"I have never been happier, seeing this happen and you are a witness to history.  

"Thank you Jesus, we look forward to the rest coming home.  

"Thank you Journalism, to those still saying it is a scam, I will not abuse you, may the Lord forgive you, that sort of wickedness takes people to hell straight.  

"Think of Bitrus' blind parents and the grieving mothers of Chibok.  

"If some of the girls can't speak English, it is not only in Chibok that SS 3 students can't speak English, I did several studies in Kano, Adamawa, Bauchi, went to their innermost schools, Victor Emeruwa can bear me witness, the students cant speak english, it is the problem of the North.  

"Here is the marked portion on my story on December 31n 2016 in The Nation where I mentioned Mariamu and Bitrus. All is well, it ended well."

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One of the Chibok schoolgirls refused to join the rest because she found a husband- Shehu Garba

The Senior Special Assistant to President Mohammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, alleged that one of the Chibok schoolgirls who were held captive by Boko Haram members refused to join others in gaining their freedom from captivity as she claimed to have found a husband.

The girl who would have been the 83rd person to be released by the dreaded group on Saturday, May 6, got married to one of the Boko Haram members. She insists that she would rather stay with him than go back home to her parents.

Garba revealed this in an interview with Channels TV today, May 9.

He said: “83 were negotiated to come back but one said I have found a husband, I am happy where I am. So they left her and brought back the 82.

"At first, when the negotiation started people were ridiculing us. But we are here now.”

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What President Buhari told Osinbajo about Chibok girls before he left

Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had on Monday May 8 said that President Muhammadu Buhari claimed that the freedom of the 82 Chibok girls from the Boko Haram members boosted his health.

It was gathered that Osinbajo stated that President Buhari uttered the statement during the reception of the girls in Aso Rock villa on Sunday night May 7, 2017.

Speaking during the visitation by delegates from Borno State, who came to appreciate President Buharifor his unrelenting efforts in ensuring the release of the Chibok schoolgirls came to realisation, Osinbajo said this.

The Ag. President said that the Federal Government would work alongside all relevant agencies in the re-orientation and rehabilitation of victims of insurgency so as to address their most urgent problems.

“Perhaps it might be wise for us to take a look first about how to save the children and to save peoples’ lives and then begin to address questions of infrastructure as we go along. 

“But I think it is important that people don’t die while we are thinking, people don’t die while we are planning to ensure that we are able to provide for them. 

“So what I will suggest is that we take some time out to look at this, the Borno State government, the Federal Government, and then of cause the PCNI, PINE and all the other government initiatives that are working out there. 

“And then plan things better, outline what is priority and then determine what it will cost us and then we can work from there. 

“But I think it is important that we take a second look at what we have organized so far so that we will be able to do something more.’’

Osinbajo said applauded the military and international partners in ensuring the freedom of more people from the dreaded extremist group became realistic despite the increase in attrocities committed by Boko Haram group.

Osinbajo said: “That in my view is the whole point about leadership, otherwise I don’t see how we can justify our leadership in any other way."

Prof Yemi Osinbajo admitted that the process involved in the release of the Chibok schoolgirls were most down to the international community and development partners who believed in the integrity of President Buhari.

He said: “recognize his genuineness, forthrightness and felt the need to help”, adding that they did not have to wonder if there was any other thing else going on. 

“We are thankful for that kind of leadership that has showed so much integrity”.

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PDP's statement on released Chibok girls is indecent and inhuman - Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government of Nigeria has described the statement released by the Makarfi-led faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as indecent, inhuman and ill-timed.

Lai Mohammed

Recall that PDP faction issued a statement yesterday, May 7, criticising the process used in getting the 82 Chibok schoolgirls freed from the grip of the Boko Haram extremist group during the weekend.

The Makarfi-led faction of PDP alleged that the exchange of imprisoned criminals which were Boko Haram members for the 82 Chibok school girls is a setback on the fight against insurgency.

Reacting to the opposition's opinion, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammaed issued a statement today, May 8, in Abuja which says, "it is patently insensitive for any individual or organization to seek to douse, on the altar of politics, the universal joy that has greeted the release of the 82 girls - the highest number so far freed since their unfortunate abduction under the watch of the PDP over three years ago."

He said;"from the ill-advised statement, it is clear that the PDP, whose incompetence and cluelessness precipitated the Chibok girls crisis in the first instance, is not wishing and praying for it to end with the safe return of the abducted girls.

''In his inaugural address, President Muhammadu Buhari said the Administration cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls. 

"He also said this government WILL DO ALL IT CAN to rescue them alive. If that includes swapping some Boko Haram elements for the girls, so what? 

"Will the PDP rather have the girls stay in perpetual captivity, just to prove a ludicrous point? Didn't superpower United States engage in negotiations with the Taliban that led to the exchange of five Taliban fighters for US Army Sgt Bowe Bergdahl in 2014? 

"Didn't Israel release 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in 2011? A lot of factors come into play when a nation has to decide whether or not to engage in prisoner/hostage swap.

"None, however, trounces the sanctity attached to human life and the consideration for the pains of the loved ones of those involved.

"it is clear that the kind of disdain for human life which the PDP exhibited in its incautious statement is the same reason the poor girls were kidnapped in the first instance, and for which then PDP-controlled Federal Government took what seemed an eternity before even acknowledging the abduction - thus losing critical time for their rescue."

The Minister said; ''Since the PDP failed - as it did in everything - to rescue even one of the Chibok girls, the party should hold its peace while this Administration continues to seek the release of all the abducted girls, using every means at its disposal, in addition to working assiduously to end all Boko Haram hostilities.''

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FG releases names of 82 freed Chibok schoolgirls

Freed 82 Chibok girls with
President Buhari

The release of the Chibok schoolgirls continues to generate controversies across the country but the presidency has continue to celebrate the feat.

The executive arm of the government has released the identities of the 82 Chibok schoolgirls freed by Boko Haram group on Saturday, May 7, 2017.

The Personal Assistant on New Media to the President Buhari, Bashir Ahmad published these names via twitter.

See below the names of the girls:

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APC, Atiku commends President Buhari on release of 82 Chibok Girls

The ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to eulogise President Muhammadu Buhari after receiving the news on Saturday on the release of the 82 Chibok schoolgirls.

This follows one of the APC chieftains, an ex-Vice President of the country, Atiku Abubakar's commendation on the feat. Atiku praised President Buhari's led administration efforts at restoring the girls' freedom, which eventually pay off.

The APC said: “President Muhammadu Buhari for his tenacity and dedication in ensuring the safe return of the Chibok girls who were abducted in 2014. This is further proof that we have a president who is working the talk. Nigerians will recall that last year, government secured the release of 20 girls”.

In a statement signed by the Party's spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi also expressed its undented appreciation to all local and international security agencies/organisations for the various roles played in ensuring the release of the Chibok schoolgirls.

The party went on: “The party congratulates and celebrates the girls who have bravely survived the very harrowing experiences these past three years and their parents and families who have endured the nervy and traumatic wait for their children. 

"We assure of government’s resolve to give comprehensive medical attention to the released schoolgirls and ensure their rehabilitation and reintegration into normal society. 

“For parents and families whose children remain in captivity, we urge them to take solace with fact that government is doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of the remaining schoolgirls. 

“The party urges the President to stay steadfast in his commitment to see to the release of all the girls and thousands of others being held captive by the insurgents, and to bring this ugly episode to a closure."

Meanwhile, the former vice president Abubakar issued a statement which was personally signed by him described the Chibok schoolgirls’ release from Boko Haram after three years of captivity since their abduction, as a development that shows what the country can achieve in unity.

“Nigerians stood together as a people and purposed to free these girls. 

“Despite the many setbacks, hurdles and periods of discouragement, the government, civil society and the citizens all stood together, and today we have this victory that we are enjoying as one people. 

"Thanks to the hard work of our state security services, the military and the leadership of President Buhari, the government now has tangible results to show for all the persistence."

Atiku also applauded the Bring Back Our Girls group (BBOG), “which kept hope alive for the parents and the nation, refusing to let us forget the missing Chibok girls. 

“However, I encourage that we must all not rest on our oars until the remaining girls still in captivity are released, so that we can finally have a closure on this sad chapter of our country’s history,” Atiku said.

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Photos of Freed 82 Chibok School girls at the DSS Hospital

After jetting to Abuja to see president Buhari, some of 82 Chibok school girls recently freed by the dreaded Boko Haram group were pictured at the DSS Hospital in Abuja.


ALSO READ: Photos of the freed 82 Chibok girls boarding Helicopters to meet President Buhari

ALSO READ: Photos of the freed 82 Chibok girls boarding Helicopters to meet President Buhari

Photo credit: Gbemiga Olamikan

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Photos of the freed 82 Chibok girls boarding Helicopters to meet President Buhari

The 82 Chibok School girls who gained their freedom from the dreaded Boko Haram group yesterday, has boarded helicopters that took them from Borno state to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for a meeting with President Buhari, this afternoon.

They arrived Abuja and were received by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

The girls were allegedly released by the extremist group after a prisoner swap between the group and Nigerian government.

See the pictures below taken while boarding the helicopters;

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Chibok Girls: Jonathan never rejected help to rescue abducted girls - UK

Goodluck Jonathan

The United Kingdom has discredited the news that the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan rejected the offer to rescue the abducted Chibok Girls.

The refutation was publicly made by the British High Commission in Abuja, yesterday, March 7, 2017, through an official statement.

The British High Commission said the claim that the British Royal Armed Force was around Sambisa for some months and was able to locate the girls within weeks, but the then Nigeria administration rejected its offer to rescue the girls, ‘was false’.

The statement said “a more cordial, collaborative and unified approach between Nigeria and her allies than the reported differences was used”.

“UK worked with the US and France to provide a range of military and intelligence support to the Nigerian government in their search (for the Chibok girls), and in fact, a wider effort to address the longer term challenge of terrorism.

“But importantly, we won’t comment on specific additional details, which is a matter for the Nigerian government and the military.”

The United Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council, Ambassador Mathew Rycroft, said the allegation are not true.

“The British High Commissioner briefed me on that today (Monday) and said that the allegations are not true,” he said.

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I did not reject British offer to rescue Chibok school girls - Jonathan rebuff claims by UK newspaper

Goodluck Jonathan

The former President, Goodluck Jonathan has discredited claims made by a British newspaper, The Guardian, that his government rejected an offer by British forces to rescue the abducted Chibok school girls in 2014 from the clutch of a extremist group, Boko Haram.

The below statement was issued on Sunday, March 5^thby the Ex-President’s media adviser, Okechukwu Eze, saying,

"Nothing can be further from the truth, as Nigerians are conversant with the effort made by the Jonathan administration towards rescuing the Chibok girls, especially in relation to collaborating with the international community, in the bid.

"We can confidently say that the lies in this report are self-evident. This is because the international press as well as the Nigeria media actively covered the multinational efforts and collaboration which involved some of the major powers deploying their crack intelligence officers to work with our own security operatives, and those of our neighbours.

"In the course of the mission, the international team, including members from Nigeria’s neighbours of Chad, Niger and Cameroun, met regularly with our own operatives to plan and conduct their operations.

"In fact, the Jonathan administration was so genuinely supportive that the foreign powers involved were granted permission to overfly our airspace, while conducting the search and rescue missions.

“We would wish to recall that this collaboration was made possible following letters personally written by former President Jonathan to President Barack Obama of the United States, President Francois Hollande of France, Mr. David Cameron, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, as well as personal contacts made to the Governments of Israel and China, seeking their assistance in the search for the abducted Chibok girls.

“We are however not surprised that this kind of concocted story is coming out at this point in time, as it appears that some people who have obviously been playing politics with the issue of the Chibok girls will stop at nothing to further their interest.

"Again we ask the newspapers to always cross-check their facts before rushing to publish false information, especially when being spread by those who want to unfairly promote their own pride, against our own national interest.”

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FG issues warning to former president Goodluck Jonathan over Chibok girls' issue

Jonathan (top Left), Lai, Chibok girls

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a warning to former president Goodluck Jonathan over the abduction of the Chibok school girls.

A statement was released on Monday, March 6, 2017 by the minister of information, culture and tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says Jonathan must stop pointing finger on the issue of Chibok girls.

Lai Mohammed said because the Chibok girls were kidnapped during Jonathan's administration, so pointing fingers is pointless now and serves as a distraction for the current administration.

This warning comes after a report by a British newspaper which claimed that the British armed forces' proposed to help in the rescue mission of the girls but the bid was snubbed by then administration.

He also claimed that the past administration used the issue to play politics and permitting Boko Haram issue to escalate before the 2015 election.

The Minister said: ''While former President Jonathan reserves the right to defend his administration, he should not engage in finger-pointing by saying, in a statement, that 'some people who have obviously been playing politics with the issue of the Chibok girls will stop at nothing to further their interest."

''After the girls were kidnapped and the Jonathan's administration did nothing for all of 15 days or make any determined efforts to rescue them thereafter, our party, the then opposition APC, told the nation several times that the whole Boko Haram crisis was allowed to escalate by the PDP-controlled federal government so they can use it as a political tool ahead of the 2015 elections.

''In a statement on 8 Sept. 2014, we said: 'President Jonathan-PDP’s political manipulation of the Boko Haram has to be understood as part of its pooker-like calculus for clinging on to political power ahead of the 2015 elections.”

''Two-and-a-half years after that statement, we have been vindicated by the report that claimed President Jonathan rebuffed an attempt by the British government to help rescue the girls.

"We hope the former president will now refrain from stoking further controversy over the lingering abduction issue and allow the government of the day to focus on its ongoing negotiations to secure the release of the Chibok girls.”

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