Nigerian Army replies Amnesty International, seeks evidence of allegation

The Nigerian Army has on Tuesday evening replied Amnesty
International over a statement credited to it claiming that troops
failed to protect Dapchi school girls from terrorists.

Not as it even challenged the group to provide evidence of its
claims, alleging that Nigerian troops knew about the invasion and
fled.

Recall that Amnesty International had claimed that the federal
government-controlled security forces got advanced warning but
failed to prevent the abduction of schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe
State.

Amnesty equally alleged that a police source disclosed that
officers fled the town over the fear that Boko Haram may “overpower
them”.

“Evidence available to Amnesty International suggests that there
are insufficient troops deployed in the area, and that an absence
of patrols and the failure to respond to warnings and engage with
Boko Haram contributed to this tragedy,” Osai Ojigho, AI director
in Nigeria, said in a statement.

In view of the above statements, Nigerian army head quarter in a
statement signed by the Acting Director Defence Information,
Brigadier General John Agim, denied this claim and said that they
were not informed by Amnesty International.

In his words, “It is pertinent to state that most of their
narratives are outright falsehood and a calculated attempt to whip
up sentiments and mislead unsuspecting Nigerians. To demoralise
friendly nations and people collaborating with security forces to
end the forces of evil in the North-East,” they said.

“For the avoidance of doubts, no security force was informed of
Dapchi schoolgirls abduction as alleged by Amnesty
International.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military and has
attained the highest form of professionalism in line with
International best practices. And so, could not have ignored the
warning of Boko Haram attack only to work tirelessly to get the
girls back,” the statement read in part.

“The question Amnesty International has not answered
satisfactorily is; which of the security forces and what unit was
informed that a convoy of Boko Haram fighters heading towards
Dapchi where they abducted Dapchi school girls?

“What was the telephone numbers used to inform the Military or
the Police? Why has Amnesty International refused to communicate
its findings with the Federal Government’s Committee set up to
investigate what happened before, during and after Dapchi girls
abduction? Is Amnesty International trying to undermine the outcome
of this committee?”, army head quarter quizzed.

The Nigerian Army has on Tuesday evening replied Amnesty
International over a statement credited to it claiming that troops
failed to protect Dapchi school girls from terrorists.

Not as it even challenged the group to provide evidence of its
claims, alleging that Nigerian troops knew about the invasion and
fled.

Recall that Amnesty International had claimed that the federal
government-controlled security forces got advanced warning but
failed to prevent the abduction of schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe
State.

Amnesty equally alleged that a police source disclosed that
officers fled the town over the fear that Boko Haram may “overpower
them”.

“Evidence available to Amnesty International suggests that there
are insufficient troops deployed in the area, and that an absence
of patrols and the failure to respond to warnings and engage with
Boko Haram contributed to this tragedy,” Osai Ojigho, AI director
in Nigeria, said in a statement.

In view of the above statements, Nigerian army head quarter in a
statement signed by the Acting Director Defence Information,
Brigadier General John Agim, denied this claim and said that they
were not informed by Amnesty International.

In his words, “It is pertinent to state that most of their
narratives are outright falsehood and a calculated attempt to whip
up sentiments and mislead unsuspecting Nigerians. To demoralise
friendly nations and people collaborating with security forces to
end the forces of evil in the North-East,” they said.

“For the avoidance of doubts, no security force was informed of
Dapchi schoolgirls abduction as alleged by Amnesty
International.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military and has
attained the highest form of professionalism in line with
International best practices. And so, could not have ignored the
warning of Boko Haram attack only to work tirelessly to get the
girls back,” the statement read in part.

“The question Amnesty International has not answered
satisfactorily is; which of the security forces and what unit was
informed that a convoy of Boko Haram fighters heading towards
Dapchi where they abducted Dapchi school girls?

“What was the telephone numbers used to inform the Military or
the Police? Why has Amnesty International refused to communicate
its findings with the Federal Government’s Committee set up to
investigate what happened before, during and after Dapchi girls
abduction? Is Amnesty International trying to undermine the outcome
of this committee?”, army head quarter quizzed.