After the release of 82 of the Chibok Schoolgirls kidnapped from their dorm rooms back in April 2014, Boko Haram has released two videos – one showing one of its commanders swapped for the girls, and another showing some of the girls still in their captivity.
The videos were sent to journalist Ahmed Salkida, who tweeted some of the translation.
Salkida tweeted:
The commander, in the video, declared that it is not true that only 5 commanders were released, warning of imminent bombing of Abuja.
He further said that there’s been no ‘sulhu’ dialogue with govt and there won’t be. Only war is between us, he declared.
The Chibokgirl that spoke in the (second) video today, holding an AK47 rifle is Maida Yakubu.
The girl with the rifle is seen in the video saying that she and the other girls were not forced to marry their captors, adding that they refused to be released during negotiations.
Esther Yakubu, Maida’s mother told members of the Bring Back Our Girls advocacy group that it was indeed her daughter who spoke in the video.
This was confirmed by Aisha Yesufu, one of the leaders of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) Advocacy Group.
She said it was ironic that Maida, who urged the Federal Government to rescue them in a proof-of-life video last year could be saying the opposite today.
“The girl told us how much they had suffered and that they wanted to come back home; and this time, she is saying she does not want to come back home and she wants her parents to join her. We felt it was necessary to pay a visit of encouragement to the parents and we are just coming from Esther Yakubu’s house,” Yesufu said.
Their conversation was in the Hausa language after which the girl spoke in the local Chibok dialect.
The unidentified male voice in his introductory remarks said,
“These ones are among the young girls of Chibok who say they are not returning to their parents, but would rather stay back to follow Allah’s religion. Now, we are asking them why.”
Below a transcript of the conversation between the male voice and Maida, as shared by PUNCH
Veiled girl with AK 47: My name is Maida Yakubu
Which town are you from?
Chibok.
What are the names of your parents?
My mother’s name is Esther Muntari; my father’s name is Yakubu Kaba.
Which school were you attending?
GSS Chibok.
Why don’t you want to return to your parents?
I don’t want to return because they are living in the city of infidels, we want them to come and follow this religion for us to have rest in heaven.
Some people are saying that you are being forced into marriage is this so?
No. It is not so. Among us are those who agree and accept get married.
What is your message to your parents?
My message to them is for them to repent and follow Allah’s religion for our salvation.
What is your appeal to Nigerians?
My call to Nigerians is that they should leave the book that is not that of Allah and follow the Sunnah (Sayings and deeds of the Prophet) Allah’s religion will move forward whether you like it or not.
If you don’t agree you will die in your misery.
She switched to the local Chibok language for the last few seconds of the video. The Nigerian military has however, dismissed the threat as empty.
Watch the videos below:
Chibok girls video:
