Yobe State Secretary to the Government Mohammed Goje says every girl taken from Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi in 2018 is now free — except Leah Sharibu, who remains captive.
Goje told Arewa PUNCH in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, answering questions about Governor Mai Mala Buni’s seven years in office since 2019. He said the Dapchi case “is a past one” because the rescued girls returned home before this administration. “For the Dapchi girls, except for Leah Sharibu, who, I believe, is still in captivity, the Dapchi girls have all been rescued even before 2019. So, that story is a past one because all of them regained their freedom before this administration came on board.”
Sharibu, a Christian among the 110 girls seized on February 19, 2018, was reportedly held back after refusing to renounce her faith. The rest were freed about a month later; one was later confirmed dead. Unverified reports have surfaced over the years about her condition, and the Federal Government says efforts to free her continue.
On security, Goje said the Buni administration has focused on restoring peace and has made big gains since 2019. “When we came in 2019, the North-East was deeply affected by insurgency. Many communities were inaccessible because of attacks by Boko Haram and other non-state armed groups. “But today, as I speak to you, there is no local government in Yobe State that is inaccessible. You can travel to every local government area, and humanitarian organisations can also access communities that were previously cut off,” he said.
“Except for a few communities in one ward, virtually all the political wards in Yobe are now accessible. That tells you the level of improvement that has been achieved in terms of security.”
Goje added that returning residents are rebuilding with help from reconstructed public facilities, farmer support, expanded healthcare and empowerment programmes. “Our priority has been to ensure that people not only return home but are able to rebuild their lives. We reconstructed public facilities, supported farmers, expanded healthcare and introduced empowerment programmes so that returning communities can become self-reliant again,” he said.
Yobe also domesticated the National IDP Policy and made a Durable Solutions Action Plan, letting displaced people choose to return, stay, or relocate with government support.
