Reports gathered indicates that the Boko Haram sect has offered the Nigeria Government a new deal.
This new deal is to exchange the over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from their hostels at the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, for some Boko Haram militants held by the government. According to the reports we have from AP, it was revealed that the current Boko Haram’s offer is a limited one, as it only covers the release of the Chibok girls. It doesn’t involve any form of ceasefire or any other thing, just Chibok Girls.
The activist who pleaded anonymity with AP was also quoted saying, “The new initiative reopens an offer made last year to the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan to release the 219 students in exchange for 16 Boko Haram detainees.” He explained that to actually bring the Boko Haram back to the negotiation table, the present President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration “offers a clean slate.” Moreover, it will be recalled that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration have stated that it “will not be averse” to negotiation with Boko Haram.
Meanwhile, in other reports, the security challenges in Nigeria have compelled the Chief Imam of Apo Legislator’s Quarter’s Jumat Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid, to cancel the special i’tikaaf prayer which is normally observed by Muslims during the last 10 days of Ramadan. When asked as to reason(s) why he cancelled the prayer, the Chief Imam’s responds were of a wise man who is highly conscious of the high level of insecurity in Nigeria, and he refused to risk the precious lives of the potential participants of the special i’tikaaf prayer. His words are, “Everyone can testify to the fact that insecurity is becoming higher; bombings have become the order of the day in the North, especially in the north-eastern part of the country.”
The activist who pleaded anonymity with AP was also quoted saying, “The new initiative reopens an offer made last year to the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan to release the 219 students in exchange for 16 Boko Haram detainees.” He explained that to actually bring the Boko Haram back to the negotiation table, the present President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration “offers a clean slate.” Moreover, it will be recalled that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration have stated that it “will not be averse” to negotiation with Boko Haram.
Meanwhile, in other reports, the security challenges in Nigeria have compelled the Chief Imam of Apo Legislator’s Quarter’s Jumat Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid, to cancel the special i’tikaaf prayer which is normally observed by Muslims during the last 10 days of Ramadan. When asked as to reason(s) why he cancelled the prayer, the Chief Imam’s responds were of a wise man who is highly conscious of the high level of insecurity in Nigeria, and he refused to risk the precious lives of the potential participants of the special i’tikaaf prayer. His words are, “Everyone can testify to the fact that insecurity is becoming higher; bombings have become the order of the day in the North, especially in the north-eastern part of the country.”
