FG confirms release of 76 of 110 abducted Dapchi schoolgirls

The Federal Government on Wednesday confirmed the release of 76 of the 110 abducted girls from the Government Girls Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe.

A statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in Abuja, said the 76 girls were released from captivity in the early hours of Wednesday.

Mohammed confirmed that the 76 girls were those who had been documented so far, adding that the process for the release of others was ongoing.

‘‘The girls were released around 3 a.m. through back-channel efforts and with the help of some friends of the country, and that it was unconditional.

‘‘For the release to work, the government had a clear understanding that violence and confrontation would not be the way out as it could endanger the lives of the girls, hence a non-violent approach was the preferred option.

‘‘Within the period when the girls were being brought back, operational pause was observed in certain areas to ensure free passage and also that lives were not lost,’’ he said.

The minister noted that the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to all security agencies to do everything possible to secure the release of the Dapchi schoolgirls, abducted on Feb. 19, had yielded fruits.

He said the number of the freed girls would be updated after the remaining ones had been documented.

Mohammed confirmed that the girls were not handed over to anyone but dropped off in Dapchi.