Shettima asks FG to talk with Boko Haram

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has asked the federal government to discuss with Boko Haram to secure the release of the Chibok schoolgirls.

He was speaking with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour Thursday night.

Amanpour had asked for his view on the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan not to go into negotiation with the insurgents for the release of the hundreds of girls.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau had demanded a prisoner swap deal with the government to free the teenagers.

“Do we have any other option?” Shettima asked rhetorically.

He said even if he has to talk to the devil to secure the release of the girls, he would do so.

Shettima said Jonathan did not act on time and did not talk to him over the kidnappings until 19 days after.

The governor, who belongs to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), described Boko Haram militants as a “bunch of lunatics”.

He also blamed the insurgency on poverty, unemployment and poverty.

The APC women’s leader, Sharon Ikpeazu, was also on the programme.