FG Releases Concrete Proof Of Efforts To Secure Release Of Chibok Girls

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.