From the current video released by Boko Haram on Sunday, August 14, 2016, about 40 young girls, suspected to be among the 276 female students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State 855 days ago, were shown. This is the latest evidence that some of the school girls are alive.
In the last one year, the military has recorded successes against Boko Haram, reclaiming a large territory, and rescuing thousands of persons previously held captive by the insurgents. However, until the latest video, there was neither a ray of hope that the abducted Chibok girls’ will be rescue by the military nor a reliable political arrangement, in form of a genuine negotiation with the insurgents, on their release.
In the last one year, the military has recorded successes against Boko Haram, reclaiming a large territory, and rescuing thousands of persons previously held captive by the insurgents. However, until the latest video, there was neither a ray of hope that the abducted Chibok girls’ will be rescue by the military nor a reliable political arrangement, in form of a genuine negotiation with the insurgents, on their release.
Sadly, the video had a clip which indicated that some of the girls may have been killed or became casualties of the military campaign at areas previously controlled by Boko Haram. Though the sect wanted to use the video as a weapon against the bombardment of their hideouts, it actually shows the depravity of the sect who may have used the young girls as human shield against the military’s offensive. It is wicked, cowardly and inhuman of Boko Haram to have exposed women, children, the aged and feeble, who are non-combatants in the war, to the firepower of the military. We strongly condemn this war strategy of Boko Haram.
In the video, Boko Haram, for the umpteenth time, called for the swap of their fighters with Chibok girls. This condition being given for the release of our girls is not new, as it even predates 2014 when the girls were abducted. Most of the sect’s fighters are still being held in prisons and military detention centres because of the slow pace of justice in Nigeria. What this points to is the fact that though the National Assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism Act in 2011, and even amended it in 2013, this law has not been applied as it should be in the trial of suspected terrorists since its enactment. It is for this reason that the sect can still ask for their fighters’ swap with those they hold captive.
On its part, the military has been releasing suspects in its custody. For instance, in July, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, set free some 249 youths from its detention centres after they were cleared by the Joint Interrogation team in Maiduguri. This is the right way to go. We, therefore, call on government to speed up the trial of suspects in various prisons so that judges could sentence those who are found guilty to the terms of punishment prescribed in the statute books, and release those not found guilty.
We encourage government to explore the opportunities for mediation, dialogue and negotiation which the release of the latest video has offered. A peaceful negotiation that will lead to freedom for, not only Chibok girls, but also thousands of persons still being held captive by the sect, will be highly desirable. History has taught the world that most wars and violent conflicts are resolved through the jaw-jaw approach, as wars always lead to more wars.
However, we caution government against fraudulent deals with Boko Haram. Some of such deceptive negotiations had led to frustration on the part of government and disappointment on the side of parents of the abducted Chibok girls. A major element in any form of negotiation should be a clear signal that it will lead to the eventual release of the girls. While we call on government to do everything possible to bring about a quick end to the insurgency, we ask that the overall interest of the nation should not be compromised. Any deal with Boko Haram which will endanger the people and create room for further killings, destruction of property, kidnapping and general insecurity will be counter-productive.
In the video, Boko Haram, for the umpteenth time, called for the swap of their fighters with Chibok girls. This condition being given for the release of our girls is not new, as it even predates 2014 when the girls were abducted. Most of the sect’s fighters are still being held in prisons and military detention centres because of the slow pace of justice in Nigeria. What this points to is the fact that though the National Assembly passed the Anti-Terrorism Act in 2011, and even amended it in 2013, this law has not been applied as it should be in the trial of suspected terrorists since its enactment. It is for this reason that the sect can still ask for their fighters’ swap with those they hold captive.
On its part, the military has been releasing suspects in its custody. For instance, in July, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, set free some 249 youths from its detention centres after they were cleared by the Joint Interrogation team in Maiduguri. This is the right way to go. We, therefore, call on government to speed up the trial of suspects in various prisons so that judges could sentence those who are found guilty to the terms of punishment prescribed in the statute books, and release those not found guilty.
We encourage government to explore the opportunities for mediation, dialogue and negotiation which the release of the latest video has offered. A peaceful negotiation that will lead to freedom for, not only Chibok girls, but also thousands of persons still being held captive by the sect, will be highly desirable. History has taught the world that most wars and violent conflicts are resolved through the jaw-jaw approach, as wars always lead to more wars.
However, we caution government against fraudulent deals with Boko Haram. Some of such deceptive negotiations had led to frustration on the part of government and disappointment on the side of parents of the abducted Chibok girls. A major element in any form of negotiation should be a clear signal that it will lead to the eventual release of the girls. While we call on government to do everything possible to bring about a quick end to the insurgency, we ask that the overall interest of the nation should not be compromised. Any deal with Boko Haram which will endanger the people and create room for further killings, destruction of property, kidnapping and general insecurity will be counter-productive.
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