ICC Note: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari says the Chibok girls have been dispersed to various locations in northern Nigeria, still captive by Boko Haram, diminishing the hopes of rescue for more than 200 young girls who were kidnapped in April 2014. He also disclosed that many of them have been married off. This is especially torturous for the Christians girls who have been forced to convert to Islam.
By Clifford Ndujihe with Agency Report
Lagos, Nigeria (AllAfrica) — More than 513 days after the abduction of the Chibok Secondary School girls in Borno State, hopes of rescuing the girls en bloc vaporized as President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, disclosed that they have been dispersed and some of them, especially Christians, married off against their faith.
President Buhari made the comments in an interview on BBC Hausa service on Tuesday.
Asked if he received any information about the whereabouts of the kidnapped Chibok girls, he said: “They (Boko Haram insurgents) have scattered them, and (they) are being guarded at dispersed locations. Most of the girls are Christians and were forced to embrace Islam. The sect’s cruel leaders have married some of the girls, obviously against their wish. Others have been left to practice their religion but their condition could hardly be ascertained.
“Both ground and air security personnel in the Sambisa forest could spot where the girls are, but since the insurgents have also kidnapped housewives and other women, no one could say whether they mixed them or how they dispersed them. But efforts are being intensified and as people know, the three neighbouring governments of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger are helping us since these suicide bombers are now going to their areas and detonating the bombs in mosques and other places.”
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