TheCable

Abayomi Olonishakin, chief of defence staff (CDS), says negotiating the release of detained Boko Haram members is a political decision that will not stop troops from maintaining the ongoing operations in the north-east.

Addressing state house correspondents after a security meeting on Monday, Olonishakin said the role of the military is to maintain operations, while political decisions are taken by politicians.

He said security chiefs were studying the latest video released by the sect, with the hope of rescuing the remaining Chibok schoolgirls in captivity.

“The military’s decision is that we are going ahead with our operations,” he said.

“The operation is being conducted appropriately. The meeting was about how we handle crisis, all forms of crisis, be it flood or terrorism.

“We are analysing the video released by Boko Haram and we will make appropriate comments at the right time.”

He also denied the claim that Ahmed Bolori, one of the persons declared wanted by the army, was asked to return home after turning himself in at the army headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno state capital.

“Nobody who reported to my men was turned back,” Olonishakin added.