The Yobe State Government says all the schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, in 2018 have regained their freedom except Leah Sharibu, who remains in captivity.
The Secretary to the Yobe State Government (SSG), Mohammed Goje, disclosed this during an interview on Tuesday while speaking about Governor Mai Mala Buni’s seven years in office since 2019.
Goje said the Dapchi schoolgirls’ abduction was largely resolved before the current administration assumed office, noting that all the abducted students, apart from Sharibu, had already been released.
According to Goje, Leah Sharibu is the only student from the 2018 Dapchi abduction who remains in captivity.
Sharibu was among the 110 schoolgirls abducted by insurgents in February 2018. While most of the students were released about a month later, she was reportedly not freed after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
The Federal Government has repeatedly stated that efforts to secure her release are ongoing, although there have been unverified reports about her condition over the years.
Yobe Government highlights security gains
Goje also said the Buni administration has recorded significant improvements in security since taking office in 2019.
According to him:
- All local government areas in Yobe are now accessible.
- Nearly all political wards can now be reached.
- Many displaced residents have returned to their communities.
- Humanitarian organisations can access previously cut-off areas.
He said the administration inherited a state heavily affected by insurgency but has since restored access to most communities.
Support for returning communities
The SSG said the government has complemented security efforts with programmes aimed at rebuilding affected communities.
According to him, the state has:
- Reconstructed damaged public infrastructure.
- Supported farmers with agricultural inputs and mechanisation.
- Expanded healthcare services.
- Introduced empowerment programmes for returning residents.
Goje added that Yobe became the first state in Nigeria to domesticate the National Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Policy and develop a Durable Solutions Action Plan to support the resettlement and integration of displaced persons.
He explained that the policy allows displaced residents to choose whether to return to their communities, remain where they currently live, or relocate elsewhere, with government providing support for whichever option they select….See More
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