Although it is highly unlikely that the potential suicide bomber caught in Cameroon last Friday is among the over 200 Chibok girls abducted in April 2014, the Federal Government has made available photographs of the girl-child for verification.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the pictures of the girl indicated that she could be a minor, but noted that the government had restrained from publishing them in order for the Chibok parents to have a first look and ascertain her identity.
In a statement released on Monday, Shehu said Cameroonian health and security officials have started treatment on the girl who was found to be heavily drugged and had several injuries on her body.
“Pictures of the arrested suspected bomber obtained by the Nigerian officials indicated that the girl was likely to be a minor, between ages nine and 12 years.”
“Her accomplice was about 30 years or more, and both spoke only in Kanuri language.”
“Considering the well-known guidelines regarding the publication of photographs of minors, we have decided to forward the pictures of the suspected bomber to the Murtala Mohammed Foundation for verification by interested Chibok community stakeholders.”
“The Ministry of Women Affairs, the Nigerian High Commission in Cameroon and other agencies of government will continue to work together with other stakeholders to verify all the issues.”
Furthermore, The Nation reports that the potential suicide bomber is Aissatou Musa and her accomplice is Mamma Sali.
The Nation quoted a report to have said: “Available information as regards the acclaimed Chibok girl indicated as follows: Aissatou Musa, who claimed to be one of the Chibok girls, is the daughter of Musa Bladi and Fanta(mother) of Mandara ethnic group.”
“The second girl is Mamma Sali. She is the daughter of Sali Chetima and Hajiya Bintou of Kanuri tribe. Both hailed from Bama and speak in Mandara, Hausa and Kanuri. They have never been to Western school, except Koranic schools. They have no relationship with the 219 Chibok girls.”
The two female bombers are yet to be released to the Federal Government as the Cameroonian Government is still questioning them to ascertain the extent of their involvement with Boko Haram and to learn about the operation of the insurgent group.
