The Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police,
Ibrahim Idris and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai,
to explain the circumstances surrounding the abduction of 110
students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi,
Yobe State, by Boko Haram on February 19.
The invitation followed the adoption of a motion moved by
Senator Binta Masi Garba, to commemorate the 2018 International
Women’s Day.
The motion had Senators Stella Oduah, Oluremi Tinubu, Biodun
Olujimi, Monsurat Sumonu, Fatima Raji-Rasaki, Rose Oko, John Enoh
and Yele Omogunwa as co-sponsors.
Unanimously granting prayers of the motion, the lawmakers
resolved to “felicitate with Nigerian women and girls on this
year’s International Women’s Day Celebration.”
They also mandated the Senate Joint Committees on Police
Affairs; and Security and Intelligence “to summon the
Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to brief
the Senate on the actual situation of things regarding the kidnap
and, in addition, present clear operational strategies to rescue
the remaining Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls within two weeks.”
Boko Haram had earlier on April 14, 2014, abducted over 200
pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno
State, while more than half of them had either escaped or secured
their release through negotiations.
Olujimi, who presented the motion on Garba’s behalf, said the
Senate was concerned that the implementation of policies that
prohibit violence against women and girls, and promote the
girl-child’s education was still poor.
“Practices such as violence against women and girls in the
public and private spheres, including trafficking, sexual and other
types of exploitation, early child and forced marriage, female
genital mutilation are still being practised,” she said.
Olujimi added, “The Senate is further concerned that the spate
of girl-child kidnapping in Nigeria has assumed an alarming
dimension. On the 21st of February, 2018, the nation was shocked
with the news of the kidnap of 110 schoolgirls from Government
Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Busari Local Government
Area of Yobe State. This incidence is reminiscence of the 2014
Chibok girls’ abduction in which 113 of the girls are still in
captivity almost four years after.
“The Senate is worried that a pattern is gradually being
established which clearly indicates that the objectives of the Boko
Haram insurgents is to deprive young girls of school age from
pursuing education.
“The Senate is further worried that if this ugly trend is not
checked, the girl-child education, which is part of the objective
of goal Number 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals would have
been lost in Nigeria, even before the 2030 target year.”
Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided
over the plenary, called for proper implementation of the
affirmative action by Nigeria.
The Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police,
Ibrahim Idris and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai,
to explain the circumstances surrounding the abduction of 110
students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi,
Yobe State, by Boko Haram on February 19.
The invitation followed the adoption of a motion moved by
Senator Binta Masi Garba, to commemorate the 2018 International
Women’s Day.
The motion had Senators Stella Oduah, Oluremi Tinubu, Biodun
Olujimi, Monsurat Sumonu, Fatima Raji-Rasaki, Rose Oko, John Enoh
and Yele Omogunwa as co-sponsors.
Unanimously granting prayers of the motion, the lawmakers
resolved to “felicitate with Nigerian women and girls on this
year’s International Women’s Day Celebration.”
They also mandated the Senate Joint Committees on Police
Affairs; and Security and Intelligence “to summon the
Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to brief
the Senate on the actual situation of things regarding the kidnap
and, in addition, present clear operational strategies to rescue
the remaining Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls within two weeks.”
Boko Haram had earlier on April 14, 2014, abducted over 200
pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno
State, while more than half of them had either escaped or secured
their release through negotiations.
Olujimi, who presented the motion on Garba’s behalf, said the
Senate was concerned that the implementation of policies that
prohibit violence against women and girls, and promote the
girl-child’s education was still poor.
“Practices such as violence against women and girls in the
public and private spheres, including trafficking, sexual and other
types of exploitation, early child and forced marriage, female
genital mutilation are still being practised,” she said.
Olujimi added, “The Senate is further concerned that the spate
of girl-child kidnapping in Nigeria has assumed an alarming
dimension. On the 21st of February, 2018, the nation was shocked
with the news of the kidnap of 110 schoolgirls from Government
Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Busari Local Government
Area of Yobe State. This incidence is reminiscence of the 2014
Chibok girls’ abduction in which 113 of the girls are still in
captivity almost four years after.
“The Senate is worried that a pattern is gradually being
established which clearly indicates that the objectives of the Boko
Haram insurgents is to deprive young girls of school age from
pursuing education.
“The Senate is further worried that if this ugly trend is not
checked, the girl-child education, which is part of the objective
of goal Number 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals would have
been lost in Nigeria, even before the 2030 target year.”
Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided
over the plenary, called for proper implementation of the
affirmative action by Nigeria.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/senate-summons-buratai-ig-demands-two-week-rescue-plan-for-chibok-dapchi-girls/