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
