FG releases proof of effort to secure the missing chibok girls

The Federal Government has released 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, September 16th, 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 o 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.
Segun Adeyemi
SA to Hon Minister of Information and Culture



Source :LIB
Edited by DANIEL IKECHUKWU EKWUNIFE