Parents identify their missing girls from video released by boko haram1

Some parents and some of the Chibok girls that escaped captivity on Tuesday viewed the video released by the Boko Haram and identified 54 of the girls in the clips.

The Borno State Government subsequently issued a statement to officially confirm the identity of the victims and also publish the names of those identified from the Boko Haram video.

According to reports, those that partook in the preview and identification of the teenagers in the video included some parents of the abducted girls and four escapees who were among the dozens that escaped after being kidnapped by the Boko Haram from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on April 14.

The video was previewed in the office of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Abubakar Kari.

Information revealed that the Chairman of Chibok Local Government Area, Maina Lawan, who was among those that reviewed the video, behaved rashly towards journalists who accosted him while stepping out of the governor’s office after the preview.

He almost shattered the camera of some journalists for trying to take shots of the crew he brought from his local government for the verification exercise.

The identification of 54 of the girls throws more controversy on the identity of the remaining 83 of the 136 girls shown in the video; as well as the whereabouts of the remainder of the over 200 Chibok school girls believed to still be with the Boko Haram.

In the video, Mr. Shekau had claimed majority of the girls converted to Islam. The 136 girls shown were dressed in the Islamic hijab and reciting Quranic verses.

Mr. Shekau said he would not release the girls unless Boko Haram members in federal government jail were released. The government is yet to make a concrete and definite statement on the offer, but said it is reviewing all options.

Mr. Shekau did not give any reason why all the girls were not shown; while there have also been reports that some of the girls shown were not kidnapped from Chibok but were among those kidnapped from other Borno villages.

The Borno government, however, said the identification process has not been concluded.

A statement issued by Governor Kashim Shettima’s Adviser on Media, Isa Gusau, said the identification of the girls is still ongoing even as he listed the names of those identified.

“Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has confirmed that young girls shown in a video released by the Boko Haram sect, are part of schoolgirls abducted at Government Secondary School Chibok following a night attack on April 14,2014”, said Mr. Gusau.

“Fifty four of the girls of the video have been identified by their names at an exercise that involved some parents of the girls, fellow students that include escapees from abduction, some teachers, security men and some officials of the Borno State Government led by the Chief of Staff to the Government House, Abubakar Kyari. The parents and students were conveyed to the Government House in Maiduguri to make for an open identification exercise.

“The names are currently being compared with school records as well as names published some days back to ensure accuracy. The exercise continues at the Government House and it is hoped that more names will be established by parents, students and teachers as well as management of the affected school”.

Names of the girls identified by their parents and fellow students:

1. Agnes Gafane
2. Saraya Stober
3. Hauwa Bitrus
4. Hajara Isa
5. Na’omi Philimun
6. Hauwa Abdu (1st Speaking)
7. Magret Yama
8. Shitta Abdu
9. Jummai Muta
10. Ladi Paul
11. Roda Peter
12. Filo Dauda
13. Godiya Bitrus
14. Saratu Tauji (2nd Speaking)
15. Ross Daniel
16. Hauwa Ali
17. Hajara Isa (Amira 3rd Speaking)
18. Luba Afga
19. Na’omi Luka
20. Saraya Emos Ali
21. Bilkisu Abdullahi
22. Mairama Ali
23. Maryam Ali Maiyanga
24. Dabora Abbas
25. Kabu Mala
26. Halima Ali
27. Yana Bukar
28. Solomi Pugu
29. Lydia Emmar
30. Luba Sanda
31. Saraya Samuel
32. Comfort Habila
33. Rejoice Shanki
34. Gloria Yaga
35. Mary Nkeki
36. Moda Baba
37. Hauwa Isuwa
38. Patient Jacob
39. Ladi Jajel
40. Abigel Bukar
41. Fanta Lawan
42. Zainabu Yaga
43. Aisha Lawan Zanna
44. Dokas Yakubu
45. Kabu Mala
46. Maryama Bashir
47. Hauwa M. Maina
48. Mary G. Dauda
49. Susana Yakubu
50. Maryam Abbas
51. Laraba John
52. Hanatu Nuhu
53. Na’ omi Bukar
54. Rifkatu Galang