President Goodluck Jonathan
The Presidency is reportedly being pressured to adopt the America-Taliban prisoner swap model in getting back the abducted Chibok schoolgirls who have been in captivity for close to 2 months now.
It was gathered from anonymous sources that the president is being persuaded to reconsider its decision in the swap deal and follow the example of the United States who got back its soldier, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, in exchange for five Taliban prisoners held at the Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
According to the highly-placed source, who pleaded anonymity, “There is pressure on the Presidency to have a rethink on its no-swap position. These forces are saying the government should adopt the US-Taliban model or a variant of it.
“So far, the government has not foreclosed negotiation or a kind of understanding with Boko Haram to set the girls free. The target of the Presidency is to get the Chibok girls dilemma off national discourse as soon as possible.”
There were reports that clerics and government officials were working secretly on a ‘deal’ with Boko Haram to rescue the girls.
Speaking on that report the source said, “Something tangible is in the offing, there is covert discussion going on as I talk to you. I think it involves some clerics and contacts respected by Boko Haram. There is hope for the release of the girls if all the parties reach consensus on time.”
A timeline has allegedly been set for the deal, but those involved are keeping it secret.
The government has been making effort to bring back the girls who were abducted by Boko Haram from their school in Chibok community, Borno state on April 14. They have been working in collaboration with foreign countries who offered to help.
The presidency even set up a fact finding committee on May 6.
The leader of the dreaded sect, Abubakar Shekau had proposed a prisoner swap for the abducted girls but the government had rejected the offer saying it would amount to fueling insurgency.
Last week there were reports that President Goodluck Jonathan had secretly hired an Australian negotiator, Dr Stephen Davis, to help in the release of the missing girls.
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