The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has described the conflicting statements from the Police on the return of the last Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, as another clear indication that “confusion reigns under President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.”
The governor said it was embarrassing that the IGP could come on national television to “deceive Nigerians” by giving information that he was not sure of.
Fayose was quoted in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka.
Fayose said, “If the IGP does not have correct information on activities of the Boko Haram insurgents at his fingertips, it goes to show the level of confusion that has taken over this their government and one can appreciate the position expressed by former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. T. Y. Danjuma, that Nigerians should take total responsibility for the security of their own lives and properties because, as it is, a government that is confused even at the level of its security agencies cannot protect its citizens.
“What the IGP said was unambiguous. He said on Channels Television loud and clear that he was scheduled to travel to Dapchi but shelved the trip so as not to jeopardise the release of Leah Sharibu.
“So, where is the misunderstanding and misrepresentation of what the IGP said? How can Dapchi residents’ anxious wait for the safe return of the already released girls be the reason for the IGP to say that he learnt the remaining girl will be released on Saturday?
“The IGP’s categorical statement on Saturday, that Sharibu was going to be released and the recant the following day was a further vindication of the United States government’s (assertion) that animosity between Nigeria’s security agencies and their unwillingness to share intelligence were hampering efforts at effectively combating the Boko Haram insurgency.”