There may be hope and a gleam of light around the corner for the release of the over 200 girls abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok Borno State, as there are reports of preliminary talks between the Presidency and some leaders of the Boko Haram terrorist sect.
According to the report, the new deal is being brokered by some confidants of the Presidency and the sect, with indications that some key commanders of Boko Haram in detention are also eager to be part of the initiative.
The new posturing, according to the report, came amid security reports that about 500 insurgents in a neighboring country are interested in renouncing terrorism – in line with the reconciliatory agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari, though the President is said to be cautious in rushing at the new offer from some leaders of the dreaded sect to avoid what a source described as the “costly mistakes of the past administration of ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan.The report also claim that President Buhari has asked security agents to “screen or certify” those spearheading the new negotiation to ensure that the government is dealing with the right Boko Haram leaders.
It is believed that some Boko Haram leaders have been overwhelmed by the President‘s olive branch.
According to the report, the President’s reconciliatory agenda made some confidants of the sect to initiate a fresh negotiation between the Presidency and some Boko Haram leaders, adding that at the preliminary level, a “cautious understanding” has been struck by both parties.
These include likely release of some Chibok girls to underscore the readiness of Boko Haram for negotiation; involvement of some Boko Haram leaders, on whom the United States Government placed ransom, in the peace deal; and commitment of the Buhari administration to the negotiation.
The nation
