While
addressing a press conference in Abuja the Minister of Information and
Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has unbehalf of the presidency released
proof of its efforts to secure the release of the Chibok girls from Boko
Haram's captivity.
Lai Mohammed
The Federal Government has released concrete proof of its efforts
to secure the release of the Chibok girls, who were abducted from their
school in April 2014 by Boko Haram, confirming President Muhammadu
Buhari’s commitment to the safe return of the girls.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of
Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the efforts included
swap arrangements dating back to July 2015 which, however, failed for
various reasons, including last-minute issuance of a new set of demands
by Boko Haram elements.
He said that in spite of the failure of the past swap agreements,
the government and the security agencies have not relented in the bid to
ensure that the Chibok girls are released safely, in line with the
mandate given by the President who, upon the assumption of office,
directed security agencies to urgently fashion out strategies to trace,
locate and ensure the safe and successful release of the Chibok girls.
Giving details of the first swap agreement, which was the most
promising, Alhaji Mohammed said it failed in the last minute because
Boko Haram decided to make a new set of demands, even after all
arrangements had been made to exchange some Boko Haram fighters for the
girls.
"Precisely on 17th July, 2015, the DSS opened negotiations
process with the group holding the Chibok girls. However, in return for
the release of some of these girls, the group also made some demands.
These included the release of some of their fighters arrested including
some involved in major terrorist actions, resulting in several
fatalities, and others who were experts in manufacture of locally
assembled explosives.
"This was difficult to accept, but appropriate security
agencies had to again inform Mr. President of these demands, and its
viewed implications. Again Mr. President gave his assent believing that
the overall release of these girls remains paramount and sacrosanct.
"Meanwhile, following the above development, Government and the
security agencies had sufficient leverage to work out the modalities of
the swap. These included creating the safe haven, or necessary place of
swap and working out the logistic details. Based on this, the DSS
availed other critical sister agencies of this new situation.
"Immediately, the Nigerian Army and the Air Force sent some
specialists to commence a detailed arrangement for the swap. This was
during the last week of July 2015 and 1st week of August 2015. The
officers representing the various agencies worked out the logistic
details, such as the number of persons to be swapped i.e. number of
girls and detainees to be exchanged, the vehicles and aircraft, as well
as safeguards, i.e. safety of the persons, including the location of the
swap.
"When it was finally agreed by all parties, Mr. President was
again informed that the preparations were concluded, and the first step
for the swap would commence on 1st August, 2015. Mr. President robustly
gave his approval. On 4th August, 2015, the persons who were to be part
of the swap arrangements and all others involved in the operation were
transported to Maiduguri, Borno State.
"This team, with the lead facilitator, continued the contact
with the group holding the Chibok girls. The Service was able to further
prove to the group its sincerity, as it established communication
contact between it and its detained members.
"All things were in place for the swap which was mutually
agreed. Expectations were high. Unfortunately, after more than two (2)
weeks of negotiation and bargains, the group, just at the dying moments,
issued new set of demands, never bargained for or discussed by the
group before the movement to Maiduguri. All this while, the security
agencies waited patiently. This development stalled what would have been
the first release process of the Chibok girls,” he said.
The Minister also gave the details of two more swap attempts that were made following the failure of the first agreement.
”By the month of November, precisely 13th November, 2015,
another fresh negotiation process with the group was initiated. This
time, there was the need to discuss a fresh component in other to avoid
issues that had stalled the former arrangement. There were however some
problems that many may not discern, but should be expected in this kind
of situation.
"Some critical persons within the group who played such vital
role in August, 2015 were discovered to be dead during combat action or
as a result of the emerging rift amongst members of the group then.
These two factors delayed the process.
”By 30th November, 2015 it was becoming glaring that the
division amongst the group was more profound. This affected the swap
process. By 10th December, 2015, another negotiation process was in
place, but this failed to achieve results because of the varying demands
by the group,” he said, assuring that in spite of the failures, negotiation continued on new modalities to secure the release of the girls.
The Minister said since the beginning of 2016, the security
agencies have not only remained committed but have also taken the lead
to resolve the Chibok girls’ issue, in spite of the current division
among members of the terrorist group, which has seriously affected the
effort.
Source: DailyTrust
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