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Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping

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Nigerian abduction

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Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapping
Part of the Boko Haram insurgency
DateFebruary 19, 2018 (2018-02-19)
VenueGovernment Girls' Science and Technical College
Location
TypeKidnapping
CauseMilitary withdrawal
ParticipantsBoko Haram
Outcome
  • 110 schoolgirls kidnapped
  • 5 schoolgirls killed
  • Release of 104 schoolgirls plus 2 other children on 21 March 2018
Missing1

On 19 February 2018, at 5:30 pm, 110 schoolgirls aged 11–19 years old were kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorist group from the Government Girls' Science and Technical College (GGSTC). Dapchi is located in Bulabulin, Bursari Local Government area of Yobe State, in the northeast part of Nigeria.[1][2][3] The federal government of Nigeria deployed the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies to search for the missing schoolgirls and to hopefully enable their return.[4] The governor of Yobe State, Ibrahim Gaidam, blamed Nigerian Army soldiers for having removed a military checkpoint from the town. Dapchi lies approximately 275 km (170 miles) northwest of Chibok, where over 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014.[5]

Five schoolgirls died on the same day of their kidnapping; Boko Haram released everyone else in March 2018, save the lone Christian girl, Leah Sharibu, who refused to convert to Islam and continues to remain in captivity.

Controversies

Military withdrawal shortly before kidnapping

Ibrahim Geidam, the governor of Yobe State, has complained about the withdrawal of army troops from Dapchi allegedly just hours before the abduction, without informing either the local police or the state government in advance. Initially, the army remained silent regarding this complaint.[6] Days later the army made seemingly contradictory claims attempting to explain its withdrawal. The army claimed that it had withdrawn its forces from the town due to the absence of evidence of any Boko Haram activity in the general vicinity and that at the time, it had formally handed over Dapchi's security to the police before its withdrawal.[7] In an army intelligence document obtained by the Sahara-Reporters group dated 6 February 2018, an army general expressed concern regarding a possible imminent Boko Haram attack in adjacent Damaturu, 60 miles away, thus calling into question the army's earlier assertion that it had good reason to believe that Boko Haram had left the general vicinity.[6] The Yobe state police commissioner strongly denied the army's claim that his department had been formally informed by the army of the army's withdrawal, and no proof of any such police notification was provided by the army.[7]

Uncertainty regarding number of abductees

Initially the Yobe governor stated that 94 schoolgirls were kidnapped from the school and that 48 had returned to their parents and that only 46 are still missing.[8] While, Bashir Manzo, the chairman of the Forum of Missing Dapchi Schoolgirls Parents said that 105 girls were missing.[9] The police commissioner of Yobe, Abdulmaliki Sunmonu said that 111 schoolgirls were missing.[10]

Comparison to Chibok kidnapping

As in the recent Chibok schoolgirl kidnapping, so too in the Dapchi kidnapping, the Nigerian government took days to respond at all, and then responded with several assurances that the kidnappers would be promptly apprehended and that all of the girls would soon be returned safely to their homes. In the Chibok event, four years later still approximately a third of the abductees remained in the hands of Boko Haram, with those girls who have been released, for the most part having been released via ransom payments, and with only one low-level kidnapper having been apprehended and standing trial to date (5 March 2018).[11][12][13] Meanwhile, Boko Haram continues to enrich itself via the millions of dollars paid to it by the Nigerian government in the form of ransom payments.[14]

Reactions

The Nigerian Bar Association urged the Federal Government to suspend boarding schools in Northeast Nigeria.[15] Parents and villagers of Dapchi narrated how the kidnapping occurred and urged the Nigerian government to help them bring back their girls unharmed.[16]

Release

On 21 March 2018, the federal government of Nigeria announced that Boko Haram terrorists had returned 106 of the kidnapped children, including 104 girls who went to school, one girl who did not and a boy. Leah Sharibu wasn't released, and her parents told Agence France-Presse that the group would only release her if she converted to Islam.[17] The group dropped them off in the town in nine vehicles. Information minister Lai Mohammed stated that the release was unconditional. But days later, the United Nation stated in its report that the government had paid a huge ransom for the release.[18][19][20][21]

The fighters after releasing the girls warned their parents not to put them in school again.[17] Some of the kidnapped girls stated that five of the schoolgirls had died on the same day they were kidnapped by the terrorist group.[22][23]

Leah Sharibu

Leah Sharibu, a Christian schoolgirl aged fourteen at the time of her capture, is the only remaining Dapichi schoolgirl still held hostage.[24] After the others were released, some told The Guardian newspaper that Sharibu had previously escaped from her abductors, but was intercepted and returned to her abductors by a nomadic Fulani family.[25] Sharibu was reportedly not released along with the other children, because she refused to convert to Islam.[26][27]

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Sharibu was subsequently given to a Boko Haram fighter as a slave.[28] In August 2018, an audio was released of Sharibu pleading for her freedom.[29] In October 2018, her parents revealed that Boko Haram had threatened to kill her later that month, should the government not meet their demands.[30]

In February 2019, social media reports circulated about Sharibu's death but were dismissed by the government as politically motivated disinformation.[27][31]

In January 2020, many news outlets reported that Sharibu, after nearly two years in captivity, had been forcibly converted to Islam and married off to a Boko Haram commander, and had given birth to a baby boy.[32][33][34] Her father, Nathan Sharibu, dismissed the claim, saying that he did not want to hear such news.[35] Many sources later reported that she gave birth to a second child late in 2020[36][37][38][39] and a third in 2023.[40][41]

In 2025, Firdausi Abubakar of Premium Times criticized Nigeria's government for its handling of Sharibu's kidnapping, among other such incidents.[42] As of 2026, Sharibu remains in captivity.[43]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Abducted Dapchi Girls in 'Boko Haram town' in Yobe, Claims Rep". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  2. ^ "110 Nigerian schoolgirls still missing after attack: Minister". Al Jazeera Media Network. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  3. ^ Searcey, Dionne; Akinwotu, Emmanuel (21 February 2018). "Boko Haram Storms Girls' School in Nigeria, Renewing Fears". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  4. ^ Onuah, Felix; Akwagyiram, Alexis (25 February 2018). Maclean, William (ed.). "Nigeria says 110 girls unaccounted for after Boko Haram attack". Reuters. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  5. ^ "Nigeria's Dapchi school abduction: Father's plea to find daughter". BBC News. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  6. ^ a b "#DapchiGirls: Exclusive Document Shows Nigerian Military Knew Of Boko Haram's Plan To Carry Out Mass Abductions In Yobe, But Withdrew Troops". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Dapchi: Let the Blame Game Stop". This Day. 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  8. ^ Aliyu, Adekunle; Eboh, Michael; Agbakwuru, Johnbosco; Marama, Ndahi; Yakubu, Dirisu (22 February 2018). "111 Yobe schoolgirls not accounted for – Yobe police boss". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  9. ^ Haruna, Abdulkareem (24 February 2018). "Dapchi parents release names of 105 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram (Full List)". Premium Times. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  10. ^ Erunke, Joseph (28 February 2018). "There's still conflicting report on number of abducted Dapchi girls, their identity – FG". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  11. ^ Eboh, Camillus; Akwagyiram, Alexis (14 February 2018). Pomeroy, Robin (ed.). "First person convicted for Nigeria's Boko Haram schoolgirl kidnap". Reuters. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  12. ^ John, Tara (26 February 2018). "Boko Haram Has Kidnapped Dozens of Schoolgirls, Again. Here's What to Know". Time. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  13. ^ Parkinson, Joe; Hinshaw, Drew (6 May 2017). "Freedom for the World's Most Famous Hostages Came at a Heavy Price". The Wall Street Journal. Photographs by Glenna Gordon. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  14. ^ Iroanusi, QueenEsther (22 February 2018). "Nigerian govt paid ransom for release of Chibok girls – Senators". Premium Times. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  15. ^ Nnochiri, Ikechukwu; Nwabughiogu, Levinus (28 February 2018). "Dapchi: FG sets up probe into Boko Haram school kidnapping". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  16. ^ Haruna, Abdulkareem (23 February 2018). "How Boko Haram attack, kidnap of Dapchi schoolgirls occurred – Residents, School staff". Premium Times. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Dapchi girls: Freed Nigerian girls tell of kidnap ordeal". BBC. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  18. ^ Bakare, Tonye (16 August 2018). "Nigeria paid ' large ransom' to free Dapchi girls, UN says". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  19. ^ Obia, Vincent (2018). "UN: FG Paid Large Ransom for Release of Dapchi Girls". This Day. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  20. ^ Omonobi, Kingsley; Akinrefon, Dapo; Erunke, Joseph (17 August 2018). "FG paid huge ransom to free Dapchi girls – UN". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  21. ^ Olubode, Sesan (17 August 2018). "Huge ransom paid for release of Dapchi girls –UN report". The Punch. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  22. ^ Umoru, Henry; Agande, Ben; Erunke, Joseph; Marama, Ndahi; Ajayi, Omeiza; Agbakwuru, Johnbosco; Yakubu, Dirisu; Ojomoyela, Rotimi (22 March 2018). "Dapchi girls: 5 of our students died on day of attack – Fasima, released girl". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  23. ^ Idowu, Ronke Sanya (21 March 2018). "How Five Girls Died In Boko Haram Custody – Freed Dapchi Schoolgirl". Channels TV. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  24. ^ Oduah, Chika (15 May 2018). "'She refused to convert to Islam,' 85 days on, kidnapped schoolgirl Leah Sharibu remains in captivity". CNN. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  25. ^ Maclean, Ruth; Abrak, Isaac (30 March 2018). "Schoolgirls seized by Boko Haram tell of Christian friend's escape bid". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  26. ^ Maclean, Ruth; Abrak, Isaac (24 March 2018). "Boko Haram kept one Dapchi girl who refused to deny her Christianity". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  27. ^ a b "Nigerian elections 2019: The spread of false information". BBC. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  28. ^ Ochab, Ewelina U (23 December 2018). "Where Is Leah This Christmas?". Forbes. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  29. ^ Adebayo, Bukola (28 August 2018). "Lone Dapchi schoolgirl in Boko Haram captivity begs for her freedom". CNN. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  30. ^ Adebayo, Bukola (4 October 2018). "'Our daughter is facing a death sentence,' parents of Leah Sharibu cry out". CNN. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  31. ^ Olowolagba, Fikayo (10 February 2019). "FG speaks on 'death' of Leah Sharibu, attacks PDP". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  32. ^ Owolabi, Femi (26 January 2020). "Report: Leah Sharibu gives birth in captivity for Boko Haram commander". TheCable. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  33. ^ Omirin, Olatunji (25 January 2020). "Leah Sharibu gives birth to baby boy for Boko Haram commander". Daily Trust. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  34. ^ "Leah Sharibu gives birth in Boko Haram captivity". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  35. ^ "Leah Sharibu's dad dismisses news of girl giving birth in Boko Haram custody". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  36. ^ "Leah Sharibu Gives Birth to Her Second Child While in Captivity". International Christian Concern. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  37. ^ "'Leah Sharibu gives birth to second baby in Boko Haram captivity'". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  38. ^ "Leah Sharibu second child? Boko Haram kidnapped Dapchi schoolgirl 'childbirth' latest news". BBC. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  39. ^ "Leah Sharibu Gives Birth To Second Baby In B' Haram Captivity—Report". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  40. ^ Birrell, Donna (23 October 2023). "Abducted Christian teenager Leah Sharibu 'still alive' according to charity and given birth to third child". Premier Christian News. Premier Christian Media Trust. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  41. ^ "Six years after being kidnapped, Leah Sharibu's friends share how she's encouraged them". Open Doors. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  42. ^ Abubakar, Firdausi (22 April 2025). "Chibok girls and Leah Sharibu: Indictments of Nigeria that still persist". Premium Times. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  43. ^ "8 years in captivity: Don't stop praying for Leah Sharibu". Open Doors. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.

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