Former British High Commissioner to Nigeria has revealed that the United States and the United Kingdom knew the whereabouts of at least 80 Chibok girls after their abduction by the Boko Haram but failed to launch a rescue mission.
According to Dr Andrew Pacock, fly-bys and an American eye in the sky spotted a group of 80 Chibok girls a couple of months after they were kidnapped by the Boko haram. The girls were seen around a very large tree that is locally known as the Tree of life in the Sambisa forest. There was evidence of vehicular movement and a large encampment at the spot the girls were.
Dr Andrew Pacock on the Left
Dr. Pacock further added that the girls were there for at least four
weeks but authorities were ‘powerless’ to intervene and the Nigerian
government did not ask for help anyway.
“A land-based attack would have been seen coming miles away and the
girls killed, an air-based rescue, such as flying in helicopters or
Hercules, would have required large numbers and meant a significant risk
to the rescuers and even more so to the girls.” Said Dr.Pacock during
an interview with the Sunday Times of London.
The Nigerians were passed the information but made no request for
help according to an investigation by Christina Lamb with the Sunday
Times Magazine.
According to former canon at the Coventry Cathedral, Dr Stephen Davis
is quoted by the Leadership Nigeria, to say that the location of the
camps where the girls are being held is well known and can be seen on
Google maps.
Boko Haram attacked the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok
in Borno State in April of 2014 and abducted 276 girls who were
preparing for their end of year examinations. At least 57 girls managed
to escape. Boko Haram released a video in May 2014 with 130 of the girls
wearing hijabs and reciting the Koran.