Missing pupils: Buhari directs military to take charge of Yobe school

*Sends defence minister, two others for assessment

Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday directed the military and other security agencies to immediately take charge of Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, which was attacked by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Monday.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mohammed said the President gave the directive immediately after he was informed of the development which left about 94 students still missing.

[READ ALSO] 111 Yobe schoolgirls unaccounted for – Police commissioner

The added that Buhari has asked him and two other ministers to visit the affected school on Thursday for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

He listed the other two ministers as the Minister of Defence, Monsur  Dan-Ali; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

Mohammed said, “Mr. President has directed military and other security agencies to take immediate charge and control of Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, after he was informed of the development.

“He has released a delegation led by the Minister of Defence to Dapchi, to get first-hand information as to what is happening there tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

READ ALSO: Miltary unaware of Yobe school girl’s abduction – Spokesman

Asked what is the additional information as regards the girls aside the 48 that has returned, Mohammed said, “That is precisely why Mr. President is in direct contact with military and police.

“As soon as we get any information, we will let you know.”

The Yobe state government has said 48 of the 94 students of the College, who were declared missing after Monday’s Boko Haram attack have returned.

Some of the students had fled after insurgents invaded the school.

READ ALSO: PDP expresses shock over alleged missing Dapchi schoolgirls

One of the teachers in the school was quoted to have said a headcount was taken after the attack.

“After the roll call, 610 out the total number of 704 students have returned. We are still searching for the remaining 94 students,” he was quoted to have said.

“We cannot say [if they have been abducted], because the insurgents went into the students’ hostel, and many of these students scaled the fence and escaped into the bushes.”

READ ALSO: Scores of girls ‘missing’ after Boko Haram attack on Yobe school

source http://punchng.com/missing-pupils-buhari-directs-military-to-take-charge-of-yobe-school/