The military and police authorities are deeply involved in a blame game over who was actually responsible for the February 19 attack on Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, by the terrorists group, Boko Haram.
The attack led to the abduction of 110 school girls.
Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State had at the weekend accused the police of aiding the invasion of the state by the terrorists group following their premature withdrawal.
He said barely a week after the troops withdrew from the state, the terrorists struck and went away with the school girls.
But the military soon reacted, denying responsibility.
According to the military authorities, security was handed over to the police following the withdrawal of troops.
The denial is contained in a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu.
His words: “Contrary to the comments credited to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, troops earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian–Nigerien border.
“This is on the premise that Dapchi has been relatively calm and peaceful, and the security of Dapchi was formally handed over to the Nigeria Police Division located in the town.”
The Police have however countered the claim, saying at no point was the security of the state formally handed over to it.
In a statement by the Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Sumonu A. Abdulmaliki, the police claimed there was no iota of truth in the claim of the military.
His statement reads: “The attention of the Yobe State Police Command has been drawn to Press Statement from Headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole subscribing that “Dapchi has been relatively calm and peaceful and the security of Dapchi town was formally handed over to the Nigeria Police Division located in the town.
“The statement by the Military of formal handing over of Dapchi town to the Nigeria Police Division in Dapchi is not correct and untrue, as there was no time that the military informed the Police of their withdrawal, consult or handed over their locations in Dapchi town to the Police.
“The whole of Yobe State is still under Security Emergency which the Police, the Military and other security agencies are battling to ensure lasting peace.
“Members of the public in Yobe State are implored to disregard and discountenance this claim that the Military formally handed the security of Dapchi town to the Nigeria Police as untrue, unfounded and misleading.
“The Yobe State Police Command will continue to cooperate with other security agencies in ensuring safety and protection of lives and property of people of Yobe State.”
