USA SWAPS TERRORISTS WITH TALIBAN
The Presidency is under pressure to adopt the America-Taliban prisoner swap model in getting back the over 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls, it was gathered yesterday.
Under the deal, the United States (U.S.) got back its soldier, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, in exchange for five Taliban prisoners held at the Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
Sources said the Presidency is being prevailed upon to follow the U.S. example and reconsider its stand not to swap the girls for detained Boko Haram members.
Last month, the Presidency rejected the sect’s demand for a prisoner swap, saying to accede to the request would amount to fueling insurgency.
There are, however, signs that it may change gear, following National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director-General Mike Omeri’s statement on Wednesday that negotiation with the sect has not been foreclosed.
Some mothers of the abducted girls spoke to reporters in Lagos yesterday on the agony they are going through.
Some clerics and government officials are said to be working secretly on a ‘deal’ with Boko Haram to rescue the girls, who were abducted from the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, on April 15.
A timeline was said to have been set for the ‘deal’, but the parties are keeping it under wraps.
Some of those suspected to be part of the new initiative have switched off their phones to avoid any action capable of frustrating the ‘deal’.
A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “There is pressure on the Presidency to have a rethink on its no-swap position. These forces are saying the government should adopt the US-Taliban model or a variant of it.
“So far, the government has not foreclosed negotiation or a kind of understanding with Boko Haram to set the girls free.
“The target of the Presidency is to get the Chibok girls dilemma off national discourse as soon as possible.
“The government also does not want any rescue operation that will hurt the girls in any manner whatsoever.”
Answering a question, the source added: “Something tangible is in the offing, there is covert discussion going on as I talk to you.
“I think it involves some clerics and contacts respected by Boko Haram. There is hope for the release of the girls if all the parties reach consensus on time.”
On Wednesday, suspected Boko Haram members struck again on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State, killing 42 persons.
Also yesterday, the Presidential Fact-Finding Committee on the Abduction of Chibok Girls said it is not being teleguided by anyone or group.
It said no Presidency official has knowledge of its activities.
In a statement by its member spokesperson, Mr. Kingsley Osadolor, the panel said: “The Presidential Fact-finding Committee on the Abduction of Chibok Schoolgirls has read recent reports insinuating that the Presidency is on a mission to either frustrate or manipulate the report of the committee.
“The reports have emerged on the heels of reactions to comments credited to some officials of the Federal Government.
“The Presidential fact-finding committee on the Chibok Abduction wishes to state categorically that those who have expressed their opinion on aspects of the committee’s terms of reference are not members of the Fact-finding committee.
“They have never attended any meeting of the committee, nor have they been participant-observers at the various interactive sessions the committee has held in Abuja, Maiduguri, and Chibok.”
Saying no Presidency official has knowledge of its workings, it added: “Indeed no Presidency official has been privy to the minutes of the proceedings of the committee. Since the committee commenced work following its inauguration on May 6, the committee has issued media statements and granted interviews as the need arose. In other words, the Fact-finding committee has communicated through its designated Member/Spokesperson.
“The Presidential Fact-finding Committee wishes to assure all Nigerians and other stakeholders that the statements credited to certain officials are their personal views, which did not emanate either directly or indirectly from the Committee.
“Since the Committee’s inauguration on May 6, there has been no meeting between the Committee— or any one or more of its members— and the Presidency. The Committee has never been invited to give any secret or open briefing on its work or findings so far.
“The Committee would like to reiterate that it is not being tele-guided.
“The Fact-finding Committee is now on the home stretch of its assignment. No staff of the Presidency has been obliged with a snippet of what the Committee is working on. Furthermore, the Committee has not issued any interim report.”
The protesters resumed in Abuja yesterday. The campaigners resolved to write Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima on the rehabilitation and resettlement of the over 200 abducted schoolgirls.
The group said the girls’ rehabilitation would go a long way in helping them after suffering so much in the hands of their abductors.
Speaking in Abuja, where the group holds a daily sit out, former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili said: “We decide to sit out everyday in support of the young girls who are obviously going through a lot of trauma and will need a lot of support when they return.
“We as a group have agreed to send a letter to the Borno State Governor, encouraging him on the rehabilitation and relocation of these girls who have gone through a lot at such young ages to enable them rejoin the society without fear.”
The group resumed sitting, after a ban on activity by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu. It has a suit against him, seeking N200 million damages.
A member of the group, Yusuf Banki, said the groups aim is the safe return of the girls. He added that they are taken care of after their return and not abandoned after the trauma they must have gone though.
His words: “We are not only advocating for their return but that the girls whom are obviously traumatized by the experience are not just thrown back into the society without support or help.”
The Nation.
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