How Boko Haram Freed 27 Hostages In Cameroon As Pressure Mounts On FG To Resume Talks With Sect

                          

There was fresh anxiety on the fate of the abducted 219 Chibok girls following the reported payment of ransom to Boko Haram by the Republic of Cameroon to secure the release of the girls.

The negotiators of the federal government and the sect have not agreed on a date for the resumption of talks.

But the release of the Cameroonian hostages might hasten the resumption of the backdoor negotiation by the two parties.

It was learnt that some of the facilitators of the federal government are already pushing for a return to the negotiation table.

A statement from the Office of Cameroonian President confirmed that the sect released the 27 hostages including Francoise Agnes Moukori, who is the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister, Amadou Ali.

Although the Cameroonian Government was not specific if any ransom was paid or not, a highly-placed security source said: “We were aware of demand for ransom, they might have paid to secure the release the hostages. But I cannot tell you the amount involved.”

Following the release of the hostages, some of those involved in talks between the federal government and Boko Haram were said to have called for resumption of talks with the sect by the federal government.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that some of the negotiators had been mounting pressure for the resumption of talks.

The two parties had planned to reconvene after the just-concluded Eid-el-Kabir Festival.

Before adjourning talks, Boko Haram had released the list of its key 19 commanders, to be swapped with 30 Chibok girls, to the federal government and its facilitators.

The 30 girls, comprising 15 Christians and 15 Muslims, were to be used by Boko Haram to test the federal government’s commitment to the swap deal before 189 others can be released.

But the government was adamant on the release of all the 219 Chibok girls still in Boko Haram custody for what a source described as a “meaningful swap deal.”

It was gathered that the way the Cameroon got reprieve for the 27 hostages might add impetus to the ongoing negotiation with Boko Haram by Federal Government facilitators.

One of the facilitators of the ongoing talks with Boko Haram, who spoke in confidence, said: “With what Cameroon has done, it shows that there is nothing bad in continuing dialogue with Boko Haram.

“If the same country waging war with Boko Haram can facilitate talks to release 27 hostages, led by the wife of its Deputy Prime Minister, we also have a window of opportunity to negotiate the release of the 219 Chibok girls.

“This is not the first time Cameroon will be doing it; we should follow the same course. Ours is easier, the sect is not asking for ransom, the thrust of the talks is about swapping some Boko Haram members with the girls.

“And it was a good thing that President Goodluck Jonathan had set a tone for the ongoing talks when he said Nigeria will not pay any ransom.”

Another source said: “Some of us calling for negotiation have been vindicated by Cameroon. Only God knew what Cameroon offered in return for the release of the 27 hostages.

“It is time to compare notes with our neighbour and set free the Chibok girls. The government needs to get over the abduction as fast as possible.

“We have to look beyond those opposed to talks with these insurgents for the sake of these girls.”

Feeling for the abductees, a former Minister of Education and one of the coordinators of BringBackOurGirls campaign tweeted: “Day 180 and as we commemorate the 2014 International Day of the Girl Child, our hearts ache for our Chibok girls. Our girls are still not back. It is International Day of the Girl Child and our daughters know it not. We must Act.

“It is Day 180 and as we celebrate child protégé Malala for historical win of Nobel Peace Prize, we are reminded that our girls also CAN.”

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters yesterday explained why it quarantined Nigerian troops in Liberia against Ebola Virus Disease.

It said the quarantine was a preventive measure following the manifestation of EVD by a Sudanese UN Staff.

The DHQ in its twitter handle said: “No Nigerian soldier in Liberia has so far tested positive to the Ebola Virus Disease. The troops, however, remain confined to their camp for preventive purposes and medical observation following the case of a Sudanese UN staff who was reported to have manifested the disease.

“All necessary steps are also being taken to ensure that none of the Nigerian troops is being affected while serving in Liberia.”

 The Nation Report