One of the 276 girls kidnapped last
month by Boko Haram has escaped. National Chairman of the Kibaku Area
Development Association, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, confirmed the news to Newsmen, but
he refused to reveal the identity of the girl, saying it could re-endanger her
life. “The girl is currently at a location I cannot disclose,” he said. “But I
can assure you that she is safe.” Pogu further
revealed that four other girls
escaped last week, but they were shielded from the media in the interest of
their safety. Similarly, TheCable’s standby source in Chibok confirmed the
news, saying: “It is true. I have just confirmed that one girl escaped.” The
revelation that five girls in all have escaped in the past week adds new slant
to discussions around the abduction, which have recently centred on the
propriety of a prisoners-for-girls deal between the federal government and Boko
Haram. British newspaper, The Mail on Sunday, had reported that Dubai-based
Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida, had reached advanced talks with the
terrorists on the release of the girls when President Goodluck Jonathan called
from the regional terrorism summit in Paris to announce an aboutface.
Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, though, denied knowledge of any such
deal.
SOURCE THE CABLE
