Dapchi Girls Abduction, a National Disgrace- CAN; Charges Security Agencies on early release of girls

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed dismay on the security lapses in Nigeria, which it said led to the abduction of 110 Dapchi schoolgirls, stating that the incident in Dapchi has exposed the dark sides of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Condemning the abduction of the schoolgirls by Boko Haram terrorists, CAN described it a national disgrace with the international attention it has rapidly generated. 

According to a statement on the abduction of the Dapchi school girls signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant to the CAN President, Rev Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle on Friday, CAN said it was ‘consternated and disappointed’ that despite repeated claims of victory by the Federal Government over Boko Haram, the insurgents have continued to muster strength with effrontery to dare the same government in different ways including the latest Dapchi Incident. 

It said the Dapchi incident has put Nigeria in deeper mourning about the unsecured future of Nigerian school children, most especially the females, given the failure of the government to ensure the rescue of all the Chibok girls who had earlier been kidnaped. 

CAN added that the abduction of Dapchi school girls by Boko Haram, almost unchallenged has offered the Federal Government a window of opportunity to look inward and to probing the incident to unravel the myth and invincibility around the Boko Haram terrorists. 

It also called on the Federal government to interrogate the entire security apparatus in Nigeria with intent to detect moles and possible collaborators among the officers who, it stressed must face severe sanctions if found wanting. 

CAN said, “We found it incongruous and reprehensible that there is no unanimity of purpose among security agencies in Nigeria, given the discordant tunes by the agencies. This has not been auguring well for the battle to contain terrorism in the country. 

“We urge President Buhari to rise to the occasion as a leader and ensure harmony and enhanced professionalism among security agencies as a way of positioning them for the task of wrestling insurgency to stand still in Nigeria” 

CAN also called on the government to immediately deploy security operatives to other girls schools in the north eastern part of Nigeria in view of the Dapchi incident, wondering why the government, in the first instance, failed to take a cue from the abduction of Chibok Girls, almost three years ago by protecting the remaining girls schools. 

The umbrella Christian body in Nigeria blamed the Boko Haram abduction of Dapchi girls on what it described as faulty strategy of war by the Nigerian Military in which case, the authorities in the name of propaganda often rush to claim dominion and victory over the insurgents without actually breaking the core of their strength. 

It said, “Our Military should learn from their past and present mistakes by doing less of propaganda while facing the war against Boko Haram terrorists with zeal to root them out once and for all. 

“In our view, the Government of President Buhari should urgently call for international support in the combat against terrorism as its incapacity in the battle against insurgency in Nigeria is becoming  more glaring. 

“Nigeria is increasingly reeling into a war situation with life expectancy getting shorter by the day amid massive killings by Boko Haram in the North East, Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt, armed 

gangs in the southern region, a reason we opined that calling for international support may not be out of place. 

“We as a body will be willing any day to cooperate with the government, lending hands in whatever capacity we deemed fit to ensure an end to the reign of terror, barbarism and utter chaos in our country.

“We are strongly of a view that all hands must be on deck in Nigeria to prevent the country from slipping into full scale internecine war. 

“We call on the National Assembly and all the states’ Houses of Assembly to support the unbundling of the Nigerian Police while yielding the ground for creation of the State Police in line with global practice. From all indications, a unified police system has become outdated and hence, ineffective in tackling the nature of security challenges confronting Nigeria. 

Our hearts go to the parents of the abducted innocent schoolgirls as we pray for their safe return and re-union with their families. We call on all security agencies to intensify efforts in securing the release of the abducted girls in national interest. 

For us, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! As we demand an immediate end to kidnapping of innocent girls and mindless killings bring recorded across the country.

His eminence solicits your help in disseminating this statement to the public through your popular medium as we appreciate your usual assistance and understanding.

Signed 

Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, 

Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President. 

2 March, 2018.