Confusion: Nigerian Officials Contradict Selves Over Negotiation With Boko Haram

It is difficult to determine what direction the government would head as officials
make a series of contradictory statements to the media regarding the conditions
spelt out by Boko Haram for releasing the girls...............



Premium Times
Confusion now reign supreme in Nigeria as senior government officials give contradictory views they claim reflect the government’s commitment (or not) regarding the administration’s willingness (or otherwise) to negotiations with the extremist Boko Haram sect for the release of the over 250 Chibok girls, raising concerns yet again about the government’s strategy for resolving the crisis, and the coherence of its plans in that regard.

In the last two days, the senate president, two ministers, and another senior official, have disagreed openly on the government’s line of action- whether to accept a proposal for talks with Boko Haram, or to stick to the use of force.

The senate president, David Mark, said Tuesday the government will never negotiate with Boko Haram, as doing so would embolden other terrorist groups.

His comments aligned with those of the interior minister, Abba Moro, who had vowed Monday that the government would not accept Boko Haram’s proposal to swap the kidnapped girls with the sect’s suspected members detained by the Nigerian authorities.

But the special duties minister, Taminu Turaki, and the director general of the National Orientation Agency, Mike Omeri, hinted at the government’s willingness for talks with the group that has killed thousands of Nigerians in its five-year old insurgency.

Mr. Turaki told the BBC Tuesday that the government was set for dialogue while Mr. Omeri said all options remained on the table as the government, backed by an international specialist team, attempts to locate and rescue the girls.

The girls were kidnapped on the night of April 14 from their dormitory as they prepared for their final examinations. The United States is leading an international effort to help Nigeria rescue the girls.

The U.S. said Monday it has started flying manned surveillance mission in the northeast to gather intelligence about the location of the girls.

The Nigerian military has not offered any insight whether it would welcome the proposed talks with Boko Haram or not. Defence spokesperson, Chris Olukolade, did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES’ enquiries Tuesday.