There is reason to believe that the United Kingdom is in possession of intel about the Chibok girls abducted by the Boko Haram sect since April 14, 2014.

The founder of Security in Africa, Ben Oguntola, wrote to the British Min. of Defence, asking for that information.

His request was however denied.
“The information was sent on January 30 this year and the UK government has 20 days to comply. They do have a defence of national security and that would prevent them from disclosing the information. Let’s hope they don’t. If they rely on national security defence, we can raise the matter with the Information Commissioner’s office to determine if their claim of national security is reasonable,” Oguntala told our correspondent while requesting for the information.

“We also seek to have the details of the technology, technique or methodology used in the search and the consequential results,” he wrote in his request letter.
The reply from the MOD's HQ in Middlesex, dated February 25, said:

“Section 27 is a qualified exemption and is subject to public interest testing which means that the information requested can only be withheld if the public interest in doing so outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

“Section 27(1)(a), (1)(c) and (2) have been applied because some of the information has the potential to adversely affect relations with our allies. The Public Interest Test concluded that whilst release would increase public understanding and confidence in the relation the United Kingdom has with other international states in its assistance with operations, the balance of the public interest lay in withholding the information you desire.

“We have considered it necessary to apply the higher level of prejudice against release of the exempted information at the higher level of ‘would’ rather than ‘would be likely to’ adversely affect relations with our allies.”

Oguntola believes that there is something fishy afoot, and said: “I have had several persons suggesting that I drop the matter and claiming Boko Haram is being used by political players. This information request approach means if the British government declares what it knows, there will be no place for Nigerian political players to hide."

Source: #PUNCH

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