Chibok: Military Failed to Act on Advance Warning- Amnesty International

Amnesty International, the global human rights watchdog Friday alleged that the Nigerian military got about four-hour advance warning before the April 14 Boko Haram attack at Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, during which over 200 schoolgirls were abducted, but “failed to act”.

In a swift reaction, the Defence Headquarters described the Amnesty report as “unfortunate and untrue.” Also, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku said it was incomprehensible that soldiers on duty received such information and not report it to their commander for action.  He however said government would investigate the claim.

In his reaction, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State said he “respects” the global human rights’ watchdog as a credible institution and would not doubt its findings.

Also yesterday, military experts from the United States and the United Kingdom arrived Nigeria to assist in the search for the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.

Amnesty International in its statement alleged that “damning testimonies” it exclusively obtained from Borno State yesterday revealed that Nigerian security forces failed to act on

advance warnings about Boko Haram’s attack on GSS, Chibok which led to the abduction of the schoolgirls.

The human rights watchdog said after independently verifying information based on multiple interviews with credible sources, “Nigerian security forces had more than four hours of advance warning about the attack but did not do enough to stop it.”

Netsanet Belay, Amnesty International’s Africa Director, Research and Advocacy, added: “The fact that Nigerian security forces knew about Boko Haram’s impending raid, but failed to take the immediate action needed to stop it, will only amplify the national and international outcry at this horrific crime.

“Amnesty International has confirmed through various sources that Nigeria’s military headquarters in Maiduguri was aware of the impending attack soon after 7pm on 14 April, close to four hours before Boko Haram began their assault on the town.”

A statement signed by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said the allegation by Amnesty International was “very unfortunate and untrue.”

Said Olukolade: “Contrary to the organisation’s claims, troops in Maiduguri did not receive four hours forewarning about the attacks.  Rather, they received information of an ongoing attack on Chibok community from troops on patrol who on noting the attack engaged the terrorists and called for more reinforcement to contain them.

As the troops on reinforcement traversed the over 120km rugged and tortuous road from Maiduguri to Chibok, they ran into an ambush by terrorists who engaged them in fierce firefight and a number of soldiers lost their lives. Another set of soldiers also mobilized for the mission arrived after the terrorists had escaped due to a series of misleading information that slowed down the pursuit.

“It must therefore be clearly stated that contrary to the claim by the Amnesty International, the information received by troops at the Division Headquarters in Maiduguri was not a forewarning but the call for reinforcement by troops on patrol.  Considering the vastness of the mission area, deployment has been more of patrols than static.

“The imputation of cowardice on the part of troops is particularly confounding as the military has internal mechanism to deal with such tendencies.  These spurious allegations are obviously a continuation of the campaign intended to cause disaffection, portray the military in bad light and undermine the counter-terrorism efforts.

“Although the Chibok incident is still subject to more investigation, the Defence Headquarters appeals to individuals and organisations to refrain from circulating spurious allegations that could undermine both the operation and investigation of conduct of the mission generally.”

Governor Shettima, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Isa Gusau, said: “I have seen and read the Amnesty International report. It is clearly directed at the Federal Government. The Borno State Governor will not comment on the report. But the Governor deeply appreciates the efforts and sacrifices of security agencies in Borno State who have been engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the last three years with some of them laying their lives for the State.
“The Governor also respects the Amnesty International as a credible institution and will not doubt its findings. The governor is very much committed to supporting ongoing search and rescue efforts to free Borno's precious daughters. More than any other person in position of authority, Governor Shettima is deeply pained by that unfortunate abduction and is committed to providing all necessary support security agencies and community volunteers towards freeing his daughters.

“Just for the record, Governor Kashim Shettima has since assuming power, accorded nothing short of outstanding support to all security agencies in the state and this has been well acknowledged by different heads of security agencies at various times.”