By Jutha Gupah Maiduguri
The Boko Haram vehicle “overcrowd and stampede” of 110 released abducted Dapchi schoolgirls led to the death of five abductees in early hours of Wednesday, said Fatsuma, one of the 76 released girls. Fatsuma disclosed this on Wednesday in Dapchi, in a telephone interview with her father in Hausa language. She also told her father yesterday on how the abducted girls survived and released by Boko Haram after 30 days in captivity. Fatsuma said: “Good morning my father, my name is Fatsuma. I thanked God that we have been released by Boko Haram. Five of our colleagues, including Aisha and Maimuna died in transit between where we were held captive to our school in Dapchi. “My school mates died, because of overcrowding and stampede in the Nissan vehicles we were being transported and dropped outside the College premise. “Some of us sat on other students, while traveling between Kangar hideout and Dapchi, our village, where we were abducted by insurgents. On how they were treated, she said: “They have been giving us food. And in most cases, the insurgents even allow us to cook for ourselves. “We were not harmed or tortured by any Boko Haram member since they abducted us in the school on Monday, February 19, 2018.” She further disclosed that even the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets could not identified the location where the girls were held. “All of us were in an underground building called; Kangar,” said Fatsuma. The father of Fatsuma greeted her daughter and asked where they are being taken to after their release by Boko Haram. “Where are you now going to?” asked the father. Fatsuma also responded that they are going to the hospital for screening of any disease they might have contracted; during the 30-day Boko Haram captivity. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohamed also yesterday in Abuja said: “The girls were released around 3am through back-channel efforts and with the help of some friends of the country.” Chairman of Dapchi Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Bashir Manzo also said: “The girls have been brought back. The 76 schoolgirls were brought in nine vehicles and dropped outside the College premise this morning.”
