Public affairs commentator Igho Akeregha has questioned the Federal Government’s description of the return of abducted schoolchildren as a rescue operation, arguing that the available information suggests they were released rather than rescued.
Speaking during an interview on SYMFONI TV, Akeregha said government officials had used the terms “released” and “rescued” interchangeably, creating uncertainty about how the children regained their freedom.
“I must correct that description. There was no rescue. I do not agree that it was a rescue operation. They were released,” he said.
While acknowledging that security personnel entered the forest and supervised the retrieval of the children, Akeregha argued that this alone did not confirm a rescue mission had taken place.
He also questioned why the children appeared in neatly fitted civilian clothing after their release despite reportedly being abducted while attending classes in school uniforms.
“Where did those clothes come from? Who prepared clothing in the exact sizes required for every child? These are legitimate questions,” he said.
Akeregha added that he had reviewed an official statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga but maintained that it did not adequately explain the circumstances surrounding the children’s return.:::writing
