By Jutha Gupah Maiduguri
The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and Youth Development Association (DAYDA) of Dapchi have called on Federal and Yobe State Governments to expedite actions on fate of 800 schoolgirls of Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi that escaped being abducted by Boko Haram on February 19, 2018. The call was made on Monday at Dapchi village; in a communique issued by the Chairman and Secretary of DAYDA, Bashir Manzo and Baba Shehu. Manzo said that members of the associations, after the meeting insisted those only 107 girls and not 110 were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents last two weeks at the College. According to him, despite the incident and escape of 800 schoolgirls; they are still entitled to their rights for ‘education and safety of lives and property.’ Members of the two associations also called on the authorities to act on tips given by groups and individuals on the whereabouts of the abducted schoolgirls. The communique reads: “We declare total support for ongoing efforts by the government to rescue our abducted daughters, but would only be convinced by her commitment when the girls are rescued in earnest and alive. “From our records, which we gathered from individual parents and made available to government and other stakeholders, the abducted GGSTC Dapchi girls are 107 as against 110 publicised in the media.” Manzo in the communique noted: “We condemn in totality the selective engagement by government’s constituted committees and representatives with parents of the abducted school girls, whereby only those considered being stooges to some political leaders were consulted while neglecting the leadership of the forum of abducted Dapchi school girls. The forum has the support and confidence of its membership. “We want inclusiveness, if government must earn our confidence in the rescue of our abducted daughters by the military and other security agencies.” Manzo also urged political leaders and technocrats across the globe to use whatever influence they have to support and compel governments at all levels to intensify her rescue efforts. He said there is no time the community requires their support and services better than now. On how to rescue the girls, the communique said: “Government should consult with those who claim to have heard from the abductors or known the whereabouts of our children and mobilize whatever resources that are required to rescue our daughters alive. “Youths and other community stakeholders are determined to resist from whatever quarters any attempt to politicize the incident.” He attributed the non-rescue of girls to lack of commitment, ineptitude and breach of our fundamental human right of freedom for peaceful assembly and association. He said the Civil Society Groups in the state, were denied clearance to show their solidarity to affected parents and Dapchi community. According to him, this ridicules their collective conscience and the Nigerian constitution. “The general public and government officials should desist from derogatory comments and statements capable of further traumatizing the affected families and sabotage the ongoing rescue efforts,” warned Manzo.
