Guardian of Chibok girls in US Lambasts Nigeria for Taking over Girls by Fiat
Emmanuel
Ogebe, a United States-based civil rights lawyer and social welfare
campaigner who had been caring for 10 escaped Chibok girls in the US
since 2014, has expressed shock over reports that President Muhammadu
Buhari had ordered the Nigerian embassy in Washington to take possession
of the girls from him.
Ogebe said the move was emblematic of
Buhari’s “government of photography and press statements,” given that
“no official communication” had been channeled to him to that effect.
The federal government had on Tuesday
night announced a takeover of the girls, who were amongst the lucky ones
that escaped after suspected Boko Haram operatives invaded Government
Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014.
In a statement issued by the Federal
Ministry of Women Affairs, the government said the move was approved by
the parents of the girls in Nigeria.
“Following a meeting held on May 25,
between parents of the escaped Chibok girls studying in America and
officials of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social
Development in charge of the Chibok Girls Desk specially set up by
President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government, including its
representatives and agents, is now in charge of the girls,” the ministry
said via a statement by Temitope Bamgboye, its director of social
welfare. “The parents signed declaration forms authorising the ministry
to take over guardianship of their daughters.”
“Any previous guardianship arrangement has thus been revoked.”
“Any previous guardianship arrangement has thus been revoked.”
But in a message shortly after reports
on the takeover of the girls, Ogebe said the announcement was tantamount
to “a military takeover of the girls by decree,” adding that he had not
been formally informed of the move.
Ogebe, according to Premium Times, however, said he would commence findings to establish the validity of the announcement by the federal government.
Ogebe, according to Premium Times, however, said he would commence findings to establish the validity of the announcement by the federal government.
“I won’t know till I confirm the details
whether this is govt finally waking up to its responsibility or a
publicity stunt following the media mileage from the escape of Amina
Ali.”
Ogebe took the escaped girls to the US to rehabilitate and help them continue with their education.
No comments