President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the military and other security agencies to take immediate charge and control of Government Girls Secondary School Dapchi, Yobe State, attacked by suspected Boko Haram terrorists Monday night.
The president also directed them to furnish him with information about the incident which a media report said had left over 90 students missing.
The minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this to State House correspondents yesterday after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the president.
Mohammed said the president had “released” a delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, to Dapchi, to get first hand information about what was happening.
“Mr. President has directed military and other security agencies to take immediate charge and control of Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi and informed him of developments.
“He (the president) has released a delegation led by the Minister of defence to Dapchi to get first-hand information as to what is happening.
“Others in the delegation are Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Information,” the minister stated.
Asked what additional information was regarding the missing girls, the minister responded thus: “That is precisely why Mr. President is in direct contact with military and police. And as soon as we get any information, we will let you know.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed shock over reports that scores of female students have been abducted after insurgents attacked the school on Tuesday.
The party in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, urged security agencies to ensure the safe return of the girls.
Three days after the suspected Boko Haram assault, the police are still trying to ascertain the whereabouts of 30 schoolgirls, officials told PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday.
The PDP expressed hope that the girls will soon be found.
“Indeed, we are very disturbed by this ugly development especially given the conflicting reports on the whereabouts of these innocent girls.
“Our party restates that the life, safety and wellbeing of all Nigerians remain of paramount importance to us and we therefore insist that all efforts must be exerted to find these students.
“The PDP is monitoring development on the position of the Nigeria Police investigation of the matter. We however charge the Inspector General of Police to immediately put all machinery in place to unravel this disturbing situation and recover the missing children.”
Daily Trust/Premium Times
