Even with the recent rupture in the cease-fire agreement by Boko Haram, after they allegedly launched an attack at Borno and Adamawa state villages, during the weekend, there was high hope the peace process would be taken to its logical conclusion which would see the release of the over 200 kidnapped Chibok girls, early this week.
This is even as a top security source revealed that the leadership of the sect are asking for, among others, total amnesty, a genuine process that would re-integrate them back to the society and swap of its members and officers, held by Nigeria security operatives across the country.
Speaking to our Correspondent in a telephone interview from Jedda, Saudi Arabia, the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) Muhajeed Asari Dukobo, said he was very optimistic that members of the Islamic sect are tired of fighting and killing innocent people and would embrace peace.
“I can tell you that, the real Boko Haram members are very happy with the open-heart of President Goodluck Jonathan. They want peace and are already thankful to Mr. President.”
Asari Dukubo, who sounded angry all through the telephone conversation said, he has been maligned by the main opposition party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its national publicity secretary, Lai Muhammed, insisting he would never apologise to anybody over his utterances in the wake of the South African arms deal saga.
“I owe nobody, or any political party apology. I am a private Nigerian, who goes about his life, looking up to almighty Allah, so why should somebody decide to give me another name I do not deserve. I said, I was not in that plane, but you insisted I was on board and at the end of the day, I am right and you are wrong, so who should apologise to who.”
Earlier, a competent intelligence source said their captors would free Chibok girls this week. “ We are working out modalities to receive them back to the society this week. I am very sure they would regain their freedom this week. We have contacted their parents, who would identify them one after the other, as soon as they are free.”
The source also added that from all indication, the girls would be flown to Abuja, to meet with Mr. President and the wife, before any other thing would be done. “They cannot just return to their respective homes or to their parents just like that, the President must see them first, then doctors would attend to them, there are so many protocol, but the important thing is that, peace is returning to our country.”
Asked for what he think the sect would want in return for the Chibok girls, the source said the group are asking for total amnesty, re-integration to the society, release of the members and officers in custody of Nigeria security operatives across the country.
“But you would agree with me that this is a tall one, but government is trying to meet up with their demands in the interest of peace. It would come one after the other. For instance, we cannot just release their members and allow them go just like that. Someone, must come forward to collect them on bail. We must know who they are, and we must re-integrate them back to the society.”
