‘Most of the narratives are false’ — DHQ reacts to Amnesty’s report on Dapchi

The defence headquarters has described as outright falsehood the report of Amnesty International that security agencies failed to act on the information given before the abduction of 110 school girls in Dapchi, Yobe state.

The human rights group had said the military was informed that Boko Haram fighters were heading towards Dapchi on February 19.

But John Agim, acting director of defence information, who dismissed the claim, challenged AI to release the telephone numbers used to alert the military.

He accused the group of attempting to demoralise friendly nations and people collaborating with security forces to end the forces of evil in the north-east.

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

“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 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 were heading towards Dapchi to abduct 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 committee set up by the federal government to investigate what happened before, during and after Dapchi girls abduction? Is Amnesty International trying to undermine the outcome of this committee?”