The International Committee of the Red Cross on Wednesday explained its role in the release of the abducted Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls.

The organisation stated that it was not involved in negotiation for their freedom from Boko Haram.

A statement by the Communication Coordinator of ICRC Nigeria, Aleksandra Mosimann, lamented that “recent media articles have suggested that the International Committee of the Red Cross helps to negotiate the release of abducted persons, which is incorrect.”

Mosimann said, “As a neutral humanitarian organisation, the ICRC cannot play such a role, which would be contrary to our principle of neutrality and is outside our mandate.

“In Nigeria, the ICRC has acted as a neutral intermediary on three different occasions: after the release of Chibok girls on October 13, 2016 (21 Chibok girl and a baby); after the release of Chibok girls on May 7, 2017 (82 Chibok girls); and after the release on February 10, 2018 (10 women – relatives of the police officers – and three university professors from the University of Maiduguri).”

Mosimann added, “The ICRC was not involved in negotiations leading to the release of any of these persons. We did not visit them prior to their release either. We transported them, upon the request of the parties involved.”

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