Nigerians have taken to social media to express mixed feelings over the announcement by the presidency that Boko Haram on Wednesday morning returned 105 girls abducted from Dapchi.
Recall that Boko Haram insurgents attacked Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Bursari LGA, Yobe, on February 19, after which 110 girls were declared unaccounted for.
A presidential Twitter handle tweeted:
Details about the released Dapchi girls will be made available in due course. The girls are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), in Dapchi.
The DSS will be briefing the President and the nation in the course of the day.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) March 21, 2018
But the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan described the purported abduction and release of the girls as “a poorly crafted tragicomedy lacking intelligence and tact. A scam of no equal dimensions the world over.”
#Dapchi: A poorly crafted tragicomedy lacking intelligence and tact. A scam of no equal dimensions the world over. @OfficialPDPNig had repeatedly warned about conspiratorial plots advanced by @APCNigeria interests to gain heroic attainments..
— Kola Ologbondiyan (@officialKolaO) March 21, 2018
See reactions from other Nigerians:
Lots of questions about the release of the #Dapchi girls: was it a goodwill gesture by #BokoHaram? Was a ransom paid? How were they able to come in to and out of Dapchi unchallenged… @AFP @AFPAfrica #Nigeria https://t.co/61mGVUcKaX
— Phil Hazlewood (@philhazlewood) March 21, 2018
So apparently, Boko Haram returned the #Dapchi girls.
I have 2 opinions on this report.
1. Thank God they girls were returned safely.
2. Boko Haram returned the girls????
Like, people that kidnapped loads of girls a couple years back, returned these girls??? Smells fishy
— Mazi Wolfgang (@_EmmyJnr_) March 21, 2018
"Boko Haram just returned the kidnapped girls this morning. They brought them back in the same set of vehicles which they used in conveying them last week. People are scared because they do not know what they are up to," – a resident of #Dapchi was quoted as saying
— ♛ Aliyu Muhammad Shagari (@Skiiilllz) March 21, 2018
Multiple sources say the abducted #Dapchi school girls were returned early hours… Looks like the deal was a success but seems not everyone has been accounted for…
— Mercy (@AbangMercy) March 21, 2018
But I thought after the kidnap in #Dapchi the security agents (military etc) went there, then how did bokoharam drive in with the girls (over 100girls so I’m sure not one truck) and also drove out without being arrested? 😂😁😂😁😂.
— Prof. Uzor B N 💎 (@Raouc1) March 21, 2018
On #Dapchi we are being reminded that human lives mean nothing in Nigeria.
The people involved are trading human lives as collateral, using the avenue to empower terrorist while families mourn their loved ones who passed.
To the departed girls.
May your souls find justice.
— Ugo (@UgoIkeakor) March 21, 2018
That in itself is a greater show of power than actual kidnapping. Just driving in & out unchallenged Na wa o #Dapchi https://t.co/gcEWFtxNnG
— Dr. Ayoade Alakija (@yodifiji) March 21, 2018
Whether the release of the the #dapchi girls is fishy or not.. Let the parents savour the joy of seeing their children alive again.. Ransom or no ransom.. Let the grasses sway in euphoria after the elephants fight..
— Le Baron (@Maggdon1) March 21, 2018
Glad most of the girls are back though
But If this is true, then it’s simply messed up and downright embarrassing. no other way to put it. #dapchi https://t.co/6WWVFxWntY
— G0DMvND™️ (@ElmaDave) March 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/onochie_r/status/976369544330661888
If the abduction and subsequent release of these girls was a ploy whatsoever to cling or get to power, may the perpetrators never know peace. #Dapchi
— Hilarious Mr. Marsive (@Heis_Marsive) March 21, 2018
#Dapchi We commend the release of the abducted girls, we must thread with caution on this issue. As we know that huge sums of monies were paid to these terrorists to secure the release this is becoming business as usual and the government must do everything to discourage this.
— Benedict Aguele (@benaguele) March 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/rozirozay/status/976381859277033472