A renowned human rights activist and negotiator, Comrade Shehu Sani has disclosed that some powerful Nigerians are preventing the efforts of the Federal Government and other concerned citizens to ensure that the over 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram are rescued.
Human Rights Activist, Shehu Sani, the President, Civil Rights Congress, who has been involved in efforts to get government and Boko Haram to discuss the fate of the girls in the past made this disclosure in an exclusive interview last week, but refused to reveal any name who are responsible for ensuring that the talks derailed.
Sani, who is one of the negotiators facilitating the current talks, confirmed that government and the sect had started another round of talks for the release of the girls. However, he expressed fears that the powerful Nigerians who sabotaged earlier talks might derail the ongoing talks if care was not taken.
“What I want to tell you is that something is being done about it but I’m not disposed to making it public. Most times, publicising these issues always lead to sabotage by those who do not want the girls freed. I will not mention the names of these Nigerians.
“However, I can tell you that real and genuine moves are going on, which I am a part of. The claim that the girls have been abandoned is not true. There are genuine efforts by government and some individuals, who are discreetly making efforts toward getting their (pupils’) safe return home.”
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The human rights activist who noted that the girls could only be freed either forcefully or through dialogue and negotiation added that the foreign intervention sought by some Nigerians had not produced results.
The United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Israel had offered to assist Nigeria in rescuing the school girls.
“I am not aware of any serious efforts made by any foreign country. I am not aware of what is happening on the side of the US forces. From the side of dialogue or negotiation, I have not seen any serious intervention or involvement of these countries.”
Similarly, the Convener, Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, said some powerful forces had been frustrating efforts to free the girls
The Second Republic lawmaker said, “Powerful forces have proceeded to stall the negotiation over certain political gains.”
There are reports that the abducted Chibok girls have been sighted in camps inside Sambisa Forest, in some border towns near Cameroon and in the Central African Republic.
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It would be recalled in June 2014, Shehu Sani said that the prolonged abduction of the over 200 Chibok girls by the Boko Haram sect could dramatically alter the fate and orientation of the girls.
He said: ” If we are not careful, the Chibok girls that would come out of captivity would not be the same girls that went into captivity. They would be indoctrinated, they would be hypnotised and brainwashed to the point that they would be transformed into insurgents themselves. And of what use will they be then?
It would be recalled that more than 200 girls abducted in Chibok on April 14 by Boko Haram insurgents are still held in captivity.
Meanwhile 63-year-old Australian expert Dr Stephen Davis who is allegedly hired by President Goodluck Jonathan to help in negotiating the release of the missing Chibok girls has revealed Boko Haram and their plans.
Dr Stephen Davis in a recent interview with The Cable made a shocking claim that Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) enables funding of Boko Haram.
Recently, it was reported that President Goodluck Jonathan and Obasanjo held a meeting on Wednesday, August 27 to discuss the issue of insecurity in the country and the way forward.
