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 efforts.
He commended the security agencies whom, he said, have
sacrificed their time and energy, with some even paying the supreme price while
fighting for the safe release of the girls, disclosing that many friendly
countries and organizations have equally been very forthcoming in providing
their human and technological resources to assist in the process.
Addressing the parents and relatives of the Chibok girls,
Alhaji Mohammed said: ''We are with you; we feel your pains and shall not
relent until we succeed in bringing home our girls and every other citizen
abducted by the group.''
He also appealed to ''all those who have shown concern in
resolving this matter'' to continue to trust the efforts of Government to deal
with the situation.
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