Celebrations are still ongoing in Yobe State and other parts of the country over the return of the schoolgirls kidnapped from Dapchi in February, though many say several questions remain unanswered.
However, a lot has happened in the country in the 30 days that the girls spent in Boko Haram captivity. Below is a rundown of some.
MORE THAN 90 KILLED BY HERDSMEN
Over 90 persons were killed in several herdsmen attacks in at least three states in the North-Central region of the country: Benue, Plateau and Kogi.
On March 5, suspected herdsmen attacked Omusu Edimoga community, in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue state, killing 24 persons. Exactly a week after, a similar attack on Dundu Village, in Bassa LGA of Plateau State, claimed 26 lives. And on March 14, it was the turn of Dekina and Omala Local Government Areas of Kogi State, where 32 persons were reported killed. Another attack on March 19 claimed the lives of 10 persons, including a traditional ruler.
In fact, the Benue State government had planned another mass burial for victims of the fresh attacks, but the plan was botched when it was announced that President Muhammadu Buhari would be visiting the state.
BUHARI VISITS TROUBLED STATES
The President eventually visited the states plagued by herdsmen attacks. Buhari’s tour of ‘troubled states’ generated some controversy among Nigerians, with many wondering why the move took him so long.
Buhari’s visit, however, did little to assuage the rampaging herdsmen. In fact, while still in Plateau State, herdsmen attacked a community in the state, killing five.
But it was Buhari’s comments in Benue State that became a major talking point, days later. The President had said he was unaware that Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector-General of Police, did not obey his directive to relocate to Benueto restore calm.
“I’m not aware that the IG did not spend 24 hours in the state as directed by me, I am getting to know in this meeting,” he said. Femi Adesina, his spokesman, later explained that his principal is not omniscient and so cannot know everything.
REPS RECALL ABDULMUMIN JIBRIN
Abdulmumin Jibrin, the Kano House of Reps member who was suspended in 2016 after making allegations of budget padding against Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House and other principal officers, was recalled on March 13.
Jibrin was suspended for 180 legislative days — about one calendar year — but he ended up spending more days outside the parliament, as the powers that be insisted he must apologise to the house before he could be recalled. Well, he did — according to Dagara, at least.
SENATOR WAKILI PASSED ON
Ali Wakili, senator representing Bauchi South constituency at the National Assembly, died on March 17.
Wakili, who was Chairman of the Senate committee on poverty alleviation, was said to have suddenly slumped at his house in Gwarimpa, Abuja, and died shortly after. He was buried same day in accordance with Islamic rites.
OSINBAJO GIVES DAUGHTER OUT IN MARRIAGE
Perhaps in keeping with the mood of the nation, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gave his first daughter, Oludamilola, away in marriage in a quiet but glamorous ceremony, held inside the State House.
Journalists were barred from the event, which had select family members of the couple and a number of government officials in attendance.
VP REVEALS ‘GRAND CORRUPTION’ BY JONATHAN ADMINISTRATION
Just a few days ago, Osinbajo made a startling the revelation: the Goodluck Jonathan administration approved the release of N150 billion “in cash”, in local and foreign currencies, few weeks before the 2015 general election. Meanwhile, in the whole of 2014, only about N153 billion was released for capital projects in five critical sectors of the economy: power, works, housing, transportation and agriculture.
According to Osinbajo, “we can’t talk of the Nigerian economy without talking about the blight that was caused years ago by people simply stealing the resources of this country”.
Of course many more noteworthy events occurred during this time frame. You may complete the list with the ones you remember.