TheCable

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is “talking with Boko Haram” over the release of nearly 300 girls abducted by the insurgents in April 2014.

But Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, who made the revelation, said the federal government is still trying to ascertain the genuineness of these people before proper negotiation can begin.

“We are talking with Boko Haram over Chibok girls. But we need to ensure they are genuine leaders, then we negotiate,” Adesina quoted the president as saying in Paris.

Adesina also quoted the president as restating his commitment to ridding the country of corruption.

“Corruption breeds deprivation, violence and stimulates massive displacement of people to perceived promised land,” Buhari reportedly said. “Corruption is an enemy that must be stopped if we are to make progress. There are land-mines ahead, but we remain unwavering.”

Buhari had said in July that he was willing to negotiate with Boko Haram for the release of the abducted girls, provided there are no doubts over the authenticity of those claiming to speak for the insurgents.

“We have to be very careful about the credibility of various groups coming forward and claiming leadership of Boko Haram, that they can deliver,” he said.

“We have to be very careful indeed and this is why we are taking our time but we want to bring them [Chibok Girls] back safely to their homes and their school.”

Two weeks after, the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), an Abuja-based group, said members of the sect had contacted it to initiate a dialogue process with the federal government.

“From discussions held so far, the members seem to be speaking on behalf of a cross-section of the group,” Yusuf Anas, executive secretary of CCC, said in Abuja.

“They expressed willingness to come forward to make certain proposals on behalf of other members of the group. If we pursue this line, I believe something positive will come out.

“The option of dialogue, according to them, at the moment provides a leeway of not only safely rescuing the abducted Chibok school girls alive but also possibly bringing to an end, the orgy of violence unleashed on innocent Nigerians by the group.”