by Akan Ido

The Federal Government has said that it is yet to confirm media reports that 60 women were kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Chibok, Borno State almost 70 days after over 200 schoolgirls were abducted in the same community.

Media reports indicate that about 60 women were forcefully taken from their homes on Monday in Chibok and Danboa Local Government Areas of the North eastern state.

According to Mike Omeri, the Chairman of the National Information Centre, the government can not act on claims that are yet to be verified.

Omeri who spoke to the Punch Newspapers on Tuesday also commented on statements attributed to a lawyer close to Boko Haram, Hajia Aisha Wakil.

Wakil, had on Al-Jazeera on Monday, said that the sect was demanding amnesty and rehabilitation.

He said, “I have not heard it. Secondly, the lady knows where to present the views of Boko Haram. If she has been appointed by Boko Haram, we would have known.

“Did you hear them say they have appointed her as their spokesperson? Boko Haram has not told us specifically who they have appointed. We cannot act on spurious claims on pages of newspapers or on Al-Jazeera.”

Omeri addressed the story of the abduction of 60 women on Monday saying, “Everybody I checked with said he heard from someone.

“Nobody has confirmed the abduction of 60 women including people from Damboa. I have spoken to quite a number of people; I have asked from the media that reported it. They said they heard from somebody.

“I checked from the local government Information officer. He said that he heard from somebody.

“For me, up till now, I have not confirmed. Everybody I spoke with said he heard from somebody, including the sources the newspapers have quoted.”