Just in: Release of 21 Chibok girls sparks anger among troops

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– The Nigerian military have expressed worry over the exchange of some Boko Haram leaders with the 21 released Chibok girls

– Some top military officials initially did not have knowledge of the girls when they were released

– Top military officials said that the release of the girls were to be kept private for their safety

Punch reports that troops and security personnel involved in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign against Boko Haram are unhappy with the release of some top Boko Haram commanders.

Five commanders were reported to have been released in exchange for the 21 Chibok girls who regained their freedom on Thursday, October 13. The girls were released at the early hours of Thursday morning.

A security personnel told Punch that although they are overjoyed that some girls have been released, they are displeased with the exchange.

The military commanders are worried that the release of the terrorists commanders could impact negatively on the campaign to end terrorism in Nigeria.

Investigations, disclosed that older military figures only knew of the release of the girls when the news broke on Thursday.

However, a top military figure also said that the release of the Chibok girls were meant to have been kept privately for their safety, and the negotiation was the responsibility of the political leadership.

“You must understand that it is not all information that we release to people. The lives of those girls were at stake. Negotiations securely rest on the shoulders of political leaders, but that does not mean that military operations will not continue.

“We must protect the civilian populace from attacks and build confidence in the citizenry.

“It was a political decision, we are under the political leadership. We derive our mandate from the constitution as provided for by democratic governance.

“The military action must continue and it is going on as planned. We are working round the clock, in concert with other security agencies, to ensure that the remaining girls are also rescued,” the source said,

However, on Wednesday, October 12, the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, reportedly said over two million captives from the Boko Haram sect have been rescued by the army.

He said this at a recent event organised by the coalition of civil society groups to mark the United Nations World Peace Day.


Source: http://latestnigerianews.com.ng/just-in-release-of-21-chibok-girls-sparks-anger-among-troops/