B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G News!!! Northern Elders Oppose The Use Of Force To Free Girls.

Northern elders and groups from the North comprising Islamic scholars and politicians claimed to be reaching out to Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau to secure the release of the 276 abducted girls.

The groups who have contacts with the terror group are suggesting the two options to secure the girls freedom.
The options are either payment of ransom or the release of some detained members of Islamic terror group, Boko Haram as a form of swap.
Besides the deployment of troops, the government has not made up its mind on the two options favoured by many Northern leaders.
Northern leaders, including Borno elders who met with President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Abuja, are opposed to the use of force to rescue the girls or deployment of foreign troops.

The elders said that the force alternative may provoke Boko Haram to kill the abducted girls.
A highly-placed source said: “The Presidency and Northern elders or leaders are trying to seek solutions to the abduction of the girls. This was why the President met with Borno elders yesterday.

“The President is giving listening ears to all groups in view of the determination of the government to save the girls from being killed; and the local and international pressure to rescue the girls.
“The disposition of Northern elders has so far indicated that they are opposed to the use of force.”

The source, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, said the affected groups are Northern elders/leaders; some insurgents in detention; and influential Islamic clerics in the North.
The source added: “The statement by Boko Haram leader Shekau was a coded message that he will not kill these girls. So, he has left a window or possibility for negotiation or bargain.
“This is why these groups are pushing for either monetary bargain with Boko Haram or release of some detained insurgents in exchange for some of the abducted girls, but a major challenge is that ransom to insurgents is a crime in our anti-terrorism law.
“If the options are acceptable to the government, these groups might meet with a team from the insurgents at a neutral ground to negotiate.

Among the delegates were former Minister of Education, Prof. Jibril Aminu, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babagana Kingibe, Senator Abdul Ningi, Minister of Women Affairs, Zainab Maina, Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil and Hon. Mohammed Kumalia.

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