By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem
The Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin has said the issue of whether Boko Haram detainees will be swapped with Chibok girls, is a decision that can only be taken by the political authorities.
The Boko Haram sect, which has held some students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok captive for over two years, has said it will only release them in exchange of their fighters in government custody.
The video released on Sunday which showed the girls in captivity and the corpses of the dead ones, has increased the pressure on government to rescue the ones who are alive.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a workshop held in the Presidential Villa, Olonishakin said whether to dance to the tune of the insurgents is a decision that is beyond the military.
O the part of the military, he said the ongoing counter-insurgency operations will be sustained.
“That (swapping of Chibok girls with detained sect members) is a political decision to be taken. The military decision is that we are going ahead with our operations. The operation is being conducted appropriately,” the CDS stated.
Olonishakin said the military was analysing the video and would make appropriate comments at the right time.
The CDS dismissed a report that a man who was declared wanted in connection with the activities of the insurgents was turned down when he reported to the army command in Borno State.
“Nobody reported to my men and was turned back,” he said.
Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed also said: “Until you are able to ascertain the authenticity of those you are talking to, you don’t go into details.”
The minister confirmed that the Federal Government was in dialogue with the sect.
“The government’s position is clear that we’re in touch with them. We’re just being careful and cautious to ensure that we’re talking to the right people especially with the news that there is a split in the leadership. But what is important is the safety and security of these girls. The thrust of my statement was to ensure the nation that we’re on top of the situation. We’re not even just reacting to the video, we’ve gone far beyond the video in talking to the group already,” he said.
On the plan by the BringBackOurGirls campaigners to march to the State House again, Mohammed said: “We appreciate their commitment to the return of these girls, but there are few things we need to do behind the scene. What we’re saying is that the government is committed to doing everything to rescue these girls. We’re engaging them. By saying we’re talking to them, I’m talking from a point of knowledge. It does not matter what other people say. I know that the government is in touch with the group.
“Most people will forget the issue of these girls as soon as the effect of this video is over, but the government is daily working on it. Until the release of this video, the effort was not attracting any attention. But everyday, the Office of the NSA and others concerned are working on it. For us, it’s not just because of the release of the video, but because of our belief that there’ll be no final closure to Boko Haram until we’re able to resolve the issue of these girls.”
