The Federal Government yesterday struck a
deal with Boko Haram on ceasefire and freedom for the 219 secondary
school girls abducted by the sect in Chibok, Borno State about six
months ago.
The agreement was said to have been reached in Saudi Arabia.
As part of the deal, some key Boko Haram
leaders may regain freedom anytime next week at the same time with the
abducted Chibok girls.
The affected leaders might be moved from their detention facilities to designated locations in Chad on or before Monday.
But military and security agencies kept
the swap deal under wraps last night to avoid what a source described as
a “costly slip.”
According to the Defence Headquarters,
the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, announced the
ceasefire at the end of a session between Nigeria and Cameroon on
trans-border operation.
A tweet by DHQ said: “While closing the
coordinating conference between Nigeria and Cameroon on trans-border
military operations, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex
Badeh, informed the delegates that without any prejudice to the
outcome of the three-day interactions and conclusions of the forum, a
ceasefire agreement had been concluded between the Federal Government of
Nigeria and Ahlul Sunna Li Daawa Wal Jihad.
“Accordingly, he directed the service chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.
“At the meeting was the Cameroonian
Chief of Defence Staff, GCA Meka Rene Claude, leading his country’s
military delegation. Service Chiefs and senior military officers also
attended the event.”
Also, the Coordinator of the National
Information Centre, Mike Omeri, who spoke alongside the spokesperson of
the Defence Information unit, Chris Olukolade yesterday at a security
briefing in Abuja, said President Goodluck Jonathan’s Principal Private
Secretary, Hassan Tukur, met with the Boko Haram representative,
Danladi Ahmadu and the president of Chad, Idris Deby in Saudi Arabia
and have reached a ceasefire agreement.
He said the Chief of Defence Staff has reportedly ordered the service chiefs to comply with cease fire agreement.
“We can confirm to you that there have been contacts between the Government and representatives of Boko Haram”
“The discussions are essentially in
relation to the general insecurity in the North East and also the need
to rescue all captives of the terrorists, including the students of the
Government Girls Secondary school, chibok”
“From the discussions, they indicated their desire for and willingness to discuss and resolve all associated issues”
“They also assured that the school girls and all other people in their captivity are all alive and well.”
“Already, the terrorists have announced a
ceasefire in furtherance of their desire for peace, in this regard, the
government of Nigeria has in a similar vein declared a ceasefire”
“This is to assure Nigerians that the
greater goal of this process is to ensure the return of nolmacy in the
land, especially in parts of the country troubled by the activities of
terrorists”
“President Jonathan’s commitment to
peace and secuyrity in Nigeria and indeed all parts of the world has
been the driving force of all engagements and measures taken since the
war on terror began in the country,” he said.
A statement issued by Badeh on the
ceasefire agreement during the coordinating conference on Nigeria
–Camerooon Trans-Border Military Operations held at the Defence
Intelligence Agency (DIA), Abuja yesterday reads: “Without any prejudice
to the outcome of our three-day interactions and the conclusions of
this forum, I wish to inform this audience that a ceasefire agreement
has been reached between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the
Jama’atul ahlul Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad.
“I have accordingly directed the Service Chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with the development in the field”
Boko Haram had not made a public statement at press time.
Reports by the Voice of America (VOA)
and British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said the negotiation involved
the Chadian President, Idris Deby, and some high-level officials of
Nigeria and Cameroon.
The BBC quoted Mallam Hassan Tukur, the
Principal Secretary to President Goodluck Jonathan, as saying: “They
have assured us they have the girls and they will release them. I am
cautiously optimistic.”
While the VOA said the girls might
breathe freedom on Monday, BBC quoted Tukur claiming that “arrangements
for their release would be finalised at another meeting next week in
Ndjamena.”
A top military source said: “It is true
that the government has entered into an agreement with the sect. Based
on the political compromise, military and security agencies were advised
to cease fire.
“We have asked all the military
formations to abide by the decision of the government in the interest of
all. This is a positive development.”
Asked if the military was part of the
negotiation, the source added: “I think it was a political initiative,
laden with diplomacy that aided military operations.”
Another source however added: “Typical
of most wars, this insurgency is about ending at the negotiation table.
This is a positive development for the nation.
“The military has welcomed it with cautious optimism.”
Investigation by our correspondent
revealed that the deal with Boko Haram sect actually began during the
recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Chad.
It was gathered that at the instance of President Idris Deby, the President had audience with some representatives of the sect.
At the session, it was gathered that
some terms for the swap deal between the sect and some facilitators
working for the Federal Government were discussed.
The Chad talks were said to have paved the way for the mileage gained by the facilitators of the dialogue with Boko Haram.
One of the sources privy to the
negotiation said: “The swap deal gathered more momentum when the
President visited Chad. This is why President Deby is playing a critical
role in facilitating the conclusion of negotiation with Boko Haram.
“At a point, some of the negotiators asked that the military and security agencies be kept out of the deal.
“The overall gains have to do with the return of peace to the country, the North-East and the release of the Chibok girls.”
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