“Muhammadu Buhari: The challenges of leadership in Nigeria”,
a book authored by Prof. John Paden has disclosed that the Boko Haram insurgents
group had demanded from the Federal Government €5billion which is 1.7 trillion naira to free 219 Chibok
girls.
a book authored by Prof. John Paden has disclosed that the Boko Haram insurgents
group had demanded from the Federal Government €5billion which is 1.7 trillion naira to free 219 Chibok
girls.
With the current Euro
exchanged of approximately N341.37 as at last night, the figure amounts to
about N1,706,850,000,000.
exchanged of approximately N341.37 as at last night, the figure amounts to
about N1,706,850,000,000.
The book, which was presented to the public on Monday at the
International Conference Centre in Abuja, provides some insider account on the
botched negotiation between Boko Haram and the Federal Government.
International Conference Centre in Abuja, provides some insider account on the
botched negotiation between Boko Haram and the Federal Government.
Some excerpts from the book are: “An additional issue was
the status of the Chibok girls.
the status of the Chibok girls.
“Secret negotiations had been held regarding an
exchange of Boko Haram prisoners for the girls.
exchange of Boko Haram prisoners for the girls.
“On several occasions, prisoners were taken to Maiduguri to
facilitate an exchange.
facilitate an exchange.
“But these negotiations stalled when Boko Haram demanded
a ransom of €5billion for the girls.
a ransom of €5billion for the girls.
“The dilemma for the DSS, which was handling the
negotiations, was that a military assault to rescue the girls would almost
certainly result in their deaths at the hands of their Boko Haram captors.
negotiations, was that a military assault to rescue the girls would almost
certainly result in their deaths at the hands of their Boko Haram captors.
“But the Nigerian government was not going to accede to Boko
Haram’s extra-ordinary demand for a vast sum of money which would no doubt be
used to fund future attacks.
Haram’s extra-ordinary demand for a vast sum of money which would no doubt be
used to fund future attacks.
“One or two girls were able to escape their captors in May,
but the rest remained captive and the impasse continued
but the rest remained captive and the impasse continued
“The Chibok girls were not alone in their grim fate.
“Hundreds if not thousands, of persons had been captured by Boko Haram in the
North-East.
North-East.
“Buhari would need to continue degrading Boko Haram until he could
tighten the noose around its Sambisa hideouts and bring a close end to this
painful episode”.
tighten the noose around its Sambisa hideouts and bring a close end to this
painful episode”.
