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Contrary to its previous claim, the Nigerian Army has admitted that most of the schoolgirls abducted in Borno by suspected Boko Haram members on Monday are yet to be rescued.
Chris Olukolade, the defence spokesman, revealed this in a statement issued earlier today.
The Defence headquarters had earlier claimed that it had rescued all but eight of the abducted girls: a claim met with disapproval from the state government, parents, and the principal of the school.
Going by the report from education authorities in Borno State, 30 students managed to escape from the abductors while the number of girls still missing from the school stands at 99.
However, this figure also differs from the one given by parents, which suggests that the number of students still missing is between 150 and 200.
Olukolade appealed to Nigerians, saying the previous claim was not intended to mislead anyone. “What matters now,” he added, “is not the number of those still missing but the fact that the life of every Nigerian is precious.”