Chibok Girls: Northern Groups Against Release Of Bomb Maker

A number of prominent northern groups and leaders cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against swapping Boko Haram explosives producer for the Chibok girls.

It should be recalled that Buhari disclosed during his visit to France that Boko Haram leadership set the discharge of their bombs creator as a term for the kidnapped children release.

Several groups and individuals from the north backed the president regarding his idea to grant insurgents amnesty if they released the females. They, however, did not approve the girls-for-bomb maker swap offer.

Paul Unongo, the deputy chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) told The Punch on Friday, September 18:

“The first issue is, yes, there is negotiation. The second issue is that Boko Haram insurgents have said they will bring back the Chibok girls if we release their bomb maker that has taken the lives of hundreds of Nigerians.

“I think as much as we desire that the girls be released, for the government to release a person that has the capacity to produce something that can take the lives of thousands of Nigerians, we are a bit worried.

“The dilemma is, we want the Chibok girls to be released and Boko Haram is driving a major negotiating strategy. It seems they (insurgents) have got our balls and they are squeezing the balls, saying ‘if we don’t do it, we will squeeze it more.’”

He further recommended the government to request the girls’ release before the sect demands were me.

“While we are negotiating, we should intensify the battle and make it so uncomfortable for the insurgents that the possibility of them being allowed to speak first is removed.

“I think I will rather use that strategy than release a bomb maker who has killed thousands of Nigerians. The man who can make a bomb and with his capacity (to cause destruction), I don’t think we should let him off the hook so easily.”

In a similar speech Tanko Yakasai of the Northern Elders’ Council expressed confidence releasing the explosives maker was not the right solution.

“The president himself did not say he was going to do that. If he is going to release the expert in bomb making, what guarantee has he that when that man is released he will not go and make more bombs that would kill more people?”

Earlier this week Senator Shehu Sani spoke up on the issue saying the authorities should release some Boko Haram insurgents in exchange for the abductees. He, however, did not specify whether the explosives producer should be set free.