Dapchi: Security forces failed to act on warnings – Amnesty

Amnesty International said investigation has revealed that security forces failed to act on advance warnings that Boko Haram fighters were heading towards Dapchi in Yobe State, where they abducted 110 schoolgirls.

A statement by its media manager, Isa Sanusi quoted its country director, Osai Ojigho as saying, “The Nigerian authorities have failed in their duty to protect civilians, just as they did in Chibok four years ago. Despite being repeatedly told that Boko Haram fighters were heading to Dapchi, it appears that the police and military did nothing to avert the abduction.”

Amnesty said it “Gathered testimonies from multiple credible sources showing that the Nigerian Army and police received multiple calls up to four hours before the raid on Dapchi, but did not take effective measures to stop the abduction or rescue the girls after they were taken by Boko Haram fighters.”

Ojigho said, “Nigerian authorities must investigate the inexcusable security lapses that allowed this abduction to take place without any tangible attempt to prevent it. The government must use all lawful means at its disposal to ensure that these girls are rescued.”

Amnesty said “The sighting of an armed convoy at Futchimiram immediately sparked several phone calls to alert authorities. Sources who informed the military commander in Geidam at 2pm report that he responded to them by saying he was aware of the situation and was monitoring it.

“At around 3pm, the convoy arrived in Gumsa, where they remained till 5pm. People in Gumsa called Dapchi villagers to warn them that Boko Haram fighters were on their way. One villager who received such a call said he informed a police sergeant who promised to notify the Dapchi Division Police Officer (DPO).

“At around 6:30pm, when residents were heading to the mosque for evening prayers, Boko Haram members entered Dapchi. Witnesses said Boko Haram fighters asked for directions to the military post, the local government office and the girls’ school. A police source in Dapchi told Amnesty International that officers fled because they feared that the Boko Haram fighters would overpower them.”

Amnesty said a review by its crisis advisor for military operations, which took into consideration the locations of the soldiers and the time it would take to get to Dapchi, as well as the route taken by Boko Haram, “Concluded that the military’s response was woefully inadequate.”

“Regrettably, no lessons appear to have been learned from the terrible events at Chibok four years ago. What happened in Dapchi is almost a carbon copy of what happened in Chibok, with the security forces failing to respond to warnings - and the same result for another hundred girls and their families,” Ojigho said.