Vice President Sambo Leads Secret Mission With Boko Haram

After over one months of playing the ostrich,
the Federal Government has begun talks with
Boko Haram on how to free the abducted
Chibok girls. The government is also asking
the sect to hold its fire in the interest of both
parties.
But Boko Haram is also making demands. The
dreaded group is saying that the military pulls
the brakes on its action against its members.
The insurgents have also kicked against arrest
of their brethren and their detention without
trial.
According to sources, the “backdoor” talks are
being coordinated by Vice-President Namadi
Sambo through some clerics and elders in the
North. Some of those involved in the talks
have met the Vice-President up to five times.
It was, however, stressed that the talks is
through the back door because the Terrorism
Act forbids payment of ransom to such
groups.
A source in the Presidency, who pleaded not to
be named because he is not allowed to talk on
the issue, told The Naion: “The government
has been engaging Boko Haram through the
backdoor. This is being coordinated by the
Vice-President.
“The insurgents used to send representatives
or emissaries to some of these Northern/Borno
elders and clerics we have engaged. These
leaders and clerics also give us feedback on
their demands which centre on the need to
stop military action against them; putting an
end to mass arrests of their members and
detention; and the release of detained Boko
Haram members.
“The government is actually not negotiating
with the insurgents, it is just discussing with
them on the basis of ceasefire and the release
of the innocent girls.
“We hope that there will be a mutual
understanding which will be respected by both
parties. Our ultimate objective is to secure the
release of the girls.”
Responding to a question, the source added:
“The way we do it is that we feel their pulse or
demand through some of these elders/clerics
or leaders who are known to them. We also
tell them what we want.”
Another source said: “I can only tell you that a
lot of underground work is being done to set
the abducted girls free. The latest challenge to
the underground talks is the meeting in France
where all the nations have agreed to join
forces against the sect.
“This development in Paris on Sunday is
making the sect to have a rethink if the
ongoing talks should continue or not. In the
next few days, we should know where we are
going.”
A security source said: “There is no doubt
government has been having indirect contacts
with Boko Haram.”