A negotiator who took part in talks to free the 82 Chibok
girls has disclosed that the Federal Government swapped five Boko Haram
commanders.
He said there was no need to panic over the swap of the
girls with Boko Haram commanders because international convention had been
respected.
The source assured that commanders would not pose any
threat to national security considering the level of discussions going on among
stakeholders to secure more abducted persons and also end the nearly
eight-year insurgency.
“One positive aspect of it is that even in the midst of war,
if you are talking, that is what people like because you will end up having a peace
deal, this is the issue of ‘carrot and stick’ and there is certainty’, the
negotiator told Daily Trust under name protection.
“The good aspect of this government is that despite the war,
despite the fact that the military had subdued this thing, mediation is ongoing
and not long after this, you will begin to hear of rehabilitation and
reintegration and other components of peace building.
“Less than half a dozen insurgents were released and this is
an unprecedented feat because we got 82 girls and negotiation is ongoing for
the release of more very soon”,.
Asked how the Swiss Government, the Red Cross and the
Nigerian government managed to establish talks with the insurgents, he said,
“Is a process that started long ago and culminated in the victory on Saturday. We
built confidence over the years especially when we succeeded in the first one
(21 girls released last year).
“They (Boko Haram) were able to identify their own grudges
because Shekau had been saying over the years that they wanted their members
that are in prison in Nigeria to be swapped with the Chibok girls.
“So, the government agrees, in fact it offered less than a
dozen of the prisoners and we were able to convince them (Boko Haram) to
release 82 of the Chibok girls. They gave several names of their members to be
released for the exchange but we ended up taking those that we took there,” he
said.
On how the negotiators felt on coming face to face with the
deadly Boko Haram commanders for the exchange, he said, “I have the firm belief
that it is only when (someone’s time) is due that one would die; and somebody
must take the risk and they did.
“And secondly, already trust has been built and mediation
does not start and end in one day; this thing started long ago just like what
happened in Rwanda that brought lasting peace, and the peace and reconciliation
committee in South Africa; these are some of the key elements. Ihave the
belief that I would not die until my appointed time that is why I went.
“I can assure that the President Muhammadu Buhari led
administration has laid the foundation for lasting solution to the Boko Haram
insurgency by opening the doors of conversation. This is not new, it is an
acceptable norm all over the world,” he added.
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