The police has recanted an earlier statement assuring Nigerians that the only remaining Dapchi schoolgirl in Boko Haram was set to be released.
IGP, Ibrahim Idris
The Nigeria Police has stated that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris was misquoted following reports suggesting that he assured that Boko Haram is set to release Leah Sharibu, the only Christian Dapchi School girl still in captivity.
In a statement by its spokesman, Jimoh Moshood on Saturday, said the IGP's statement was misunderstood.
The statement read “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to the publication on some Social Media platform and conventional media indicating that the Inspector General of Police said the last Dapchi school girl will be released soon.
“The Statement of the IGP was misunderstood and misquoted. The misunderstanding may be as a result of the already released Dapchi School girls expected back home in Yobe State today but could not arrive due to weather condition. The IGP could not also proceed to Dapchi because of same weather condition.
“The Force wishes the members of the public and the media disregard the purported statement as not what the IGP meant.
“The Force therefore reiterates that it has no information yet on the release of the last Dapchi school girl.
“This release should be taken as the true position of the IGP’s statement.
“The media are hereby enjoined to correct their records and publication, please.”
But Idris gave the assurance as quoted by media houses including the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Idris at the Military Command and Control Centre, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, said “I am supposed to go to Dapchi today but because of the girl, I learnt she may be released.
“It is a sort of understanding that we do not create much security situation and I move with a helicopter. By the time I fly there, they might think I break and that was why I postponed the visit to Dapchi,” he said.