Hotweb.waphall.com Some Northern elders and two other groups may be reaching
out to Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau to secure the
release of the 276 abducted girls, it was learnt yesterday.
The other two groups are Islamic clerics in the North and some
of the detained insurgents.
The three groups are likely to suggest two options to secure the
girls freedom.
The options are either payment of ransom or the release of
some detained members of Boko Haram as a form of swap.
Besides the deployment of troops, the government has not made
up its mind on the two options favoured by many Northern
leaders.
Northern leaders, including Borno elders who met with
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Abuja, are opposed
to the use of force to rescue the girls.
It was learnt that the force alternative may provoke Boko
Haram to kill the abducted girls.
A highly-placed source said: “The Presidency and Northern
elders or leaders are trying to seek solutions to the abduction
of the girls. This was why the President met with Borno elders
yesterday.
“The President is giving listening ears to all groups in view of the
determination of the government to save the girls from being
killed; and the local and international pressure to rescue the
girls.
“The disposition of Northern elders has so far indicated that
they are opposed to the use of force.”
The source explained that the three groups were being courted
by the government to liaise with the Boko Haram leadership to
set the girls free.
The source, who pleaded not to be named because of the
“sensitivity” of the matter, said the affected groups are
Northern elders/leaders; some insurgents in detention; and
influential Islamic clerics in the North.
The source added: “The statement by Boko Haram leader
Shekau was a coded message that he will not kill these girls. So,
he has left a window or possibility for negotiation or bargain.
“This is why these three groups are pushing for either monetary
bargain with Boko Haram or release of some detained
insurgents in exchange for some of the abducted girls, but a
major challenge is that ransom to insurgents is a crime in our
anti-terrorism law.
“If the options are acceptable to the government, these groups
might meet with a team from the insurgents at a neutral ground
to negotiate.
“Everyone is saying that the insurgents will agree to hold talks
with the three groups on the fate of the abducted girls.”
The source added: “The three groups are reaching out but there
is still not a response from the insurgents.”
There were indications that the Boko Haram leader might make
the sect’s position known in a new video.
The source, who is central to the peace option, said: “We expect
that Shekau may make Boko Haram’s position clear.”
Jonathan met with a delegation of Northeast Forum for Unity
and Development, led by former Finance Minister Adamu
Ciroma at the Presidential Villa.
There was no official statement on the meeting which lasted for
about an hour.
Members of the delegation also did not speak to reporters on
the issues discussed.
Among the delegates yesterday were former Minister of
Education, Prof. Jibril Aminu, former Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, Babagana Kingibe, Senator
Abdul Ningi, Minister of Women Affairs, Zainab Maina,
Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil and Hon.
Mohammed Kumalia.