Plea For Rescue Video: 15 Points To Ponder -By Edith Yassin

Edith Yassin

1. The Government has not categorically disputed the content of the video.

2. The Military has however, denied killing some of our #ChibokGirls in air raids.

3. The Military has threatened Boko Haram with reprisals for the death of 40 #ChibokGirls.

4. Whether the part of the video that shows dead girls is staged or not, it corroborates Amina Ali Nkeki’s revelation that some of our #ChibokGirls have been killed and some are nursing wounds.

5. The splinter of Boko Haram is even more dangerous for our #ChibokGirls. A fight over who ‘owns’ them could be catastrophic.

6. In the ‘Plea for rescue’ video, the Shekau faction claims to have our #ChibokGirls, it is imperative to note their ‘offer’ of an opportunity for closure and explore all possibilities.

7. Some Chibok parents (19 of whom have died since the abduction) have watched the video, they clearly identified their daughters.

8. Key among them, the parents of ‘Maida’- Dorcas Yakubu who made the appeal in Kibaku – Mr and Mrs Yakubu have their hopes rekindled that their daughter will return soon.

9. Note the spontaneous way Dorcas Yakubu launched the appeal for rescue in Kibaku and the emotional reaction of the other #ChibokGirls.

10. Within this year, the ‘Proof of life’ video was released and Amina Ali Nkeki was found. Yet, the Government insists it has no intelligence on our #ChibokGirls.

11. In this ‘Plea for rescue’ video, Boko Haram taunts Government on its inability to rescue our #ChibokGirls more than two years after abduction and adds that if this opportunity is not explored, our #ChibokGirls will never be found. Very grave assertions.

12. However, the tone of the video is less arrogant, a pointer to the fact that Boko Haram has indeed, been beaten back by the Military.

13. The Government can therefore choose to negotiate for our #ChibokGirls from a position of strength. The Military is winning the war.

14. Government ought to be more transparent and into information sharing about rescue efforts for our #ChibokGirls. Doing otherwise creates room for reactionary rather than pro-active stance concerning videos like this one.

15. As an advocacy group, #BringBackOurGirls has the moral obligation to demand prompt action from Government for renewed effort for the rescue of our #ChibokGirls. They have been behind enemy lines for too long.

Edith Yassin. Follow me on Twitter @Ecyassin