Contrary to the insinuation in some quarters that 53 of the students who had earlier escaped from their abductors were all muslims, the list obtained by Saturday Sun, proved otherwise.
This is even as the Borno State Government said it has been vindicated by the outcome of the list of the students abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State.
It however expressed reservations that religious tags are now attached to the identities of the students.
From the records sourced by Saturday Sun, 46 of the escapees were Christians, while only seven were Muslims.
This, the source said, was contrary to the “wicked accusation” by some mischief makers that the Borno State Government paid Boko Haram to free the Muslims among the abducted girls.
When contacted, Governor Kashim Shettima’s spokesman, Isah Gusau, said: “I saw the list this (Friday) morning and I have just confirmed it is authentic.
“This is contrary to claims by some mischief makers, including an article by a Nigerian former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, who promoted false allegations that Borno State Government paid Boko Haram ransom to free Muslims from the abducted schoolgirls.
“We welcome the release of the names.
“But it is unfortunate that we have to be happy with such a publication in which names of young students of Borno are published along religious lines.
“It is sad for us as a government but records have to be put straight.
“In Southern Borno, where Chibok is located, most families have Muslims and Christians, in some cases, born of same parents.
“In places like Chibok, Hawul, Askira/Uba, Gwoza and to some extent, Biu, all in Southern Borno, you come across numerous families with Muslims and Christians happily living together.
“There has never been religious crisis in Southern Borno just like what obtains in the South West.
“The media has an important role to play in telling this fact.
“If for nothing, to promote peace and security in Nigeria, which affect the entire world because it has been the number one goal of Boko Haram to set us against each other by way of religious violence so that they hide while we kill each other and after killing ourselves, they kill those who survive, suspend our constitutional and liberal democracy and replace it with violent doctrines that are out of this world.”
From the list, the seven Muslims are: Habiba Yahya, Zarah Umoru, Hadiza Hamidu, Hauwa Ibrahim, Yagana Musa, Aishatu Usman and Hamsatu Umoru.
The 46 Christians on the list are: Amina Thlawur, Binawi Galam, Lucy Dzakwa, Hauwa Thlawur, Kwanta Isa, Asabe Yaga, Hauwa Musa, Hauwa John, Hannatu Joshua, Amina Yaga, Sarah Amos, Kauna Bitrus, Dinna Lawan, Hauwa Sani, Luggwa Yahi, Hamatu Ibrahim, Pogu Bullum, Sanya, Nkeki Duds, Hannatu Iliya, Saratu Musa, Solomi Yakubu, Mary Katambi, Awa Thlama, Mary Yaga, Godiya Simon, Rejoice Yaga, Falmata Mutah, Patience Bulus, Dorcas Musa, Mercy Paul, Rahap Pogu, Rifkatu Halai, Thlama Walla, Deborah Ishaya, Hadiza Kwakwi, Filo Dauda, Amos Mufah, Naomi Lawan, Asabe Nkeki, Hadiza Yama, Kuma Ishaku, Solomi Bitrus, Ladi Nkeki, Rahap Yaga and Comfort Aguba.
