Senator Representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has advised the current administration on how to effect the release of the Chibok school girls abducted two years ago.
Speaking with CNN yesterday, Sani said recent video released by Boko Haram insurgents reveals that the girls are alive but cautioned the government on the terms of negotiation with the terrorist group to avoid the pitfalls which prevented the previous administration from securing the girls’ release.
Sani said: “Negotiation at this stage has been frozen, because of the military campaign emphasised by the government. And I believe there is a need to explore the option of negotiation to ensure that the girls are brought back home alive.”
“In the last three to four credible negotiations with the Boko Haram sect on the issue of the girls, they were emphasising on the need to release their members that have been in detention for years. The issue of ransom came very late. What is important is to get these girls out.
“There are three ways to which we can get them out. One is to negotiate. And secondly is to use force, but the use of force comes with implication and consequences. Thirdly, it is to use force and continue to open the door of negotiation.
“I believe the third option is very much needed. We need to continue to use force to show it clearly to the insurgents that they can’t win militarily and also to open the door for negotiation, which will make it possible for the girls to be brought back home alive.”
Sani while commenting on how the current government would know the credibility of Boko Haram negotiators said, “We should be very careful at this time. But, the fact that we can get such a very credible video from some sources; it shows that those sources are elements that need to be used to achieve the goal of getting these girls out,
“I believe Nigeria should take this opportunity. The last government fell into the hands of many scammers, but I believe with such a very credible video, there is hope that these girls are alive. And the sources that provided the video should be used to get the girls out,” he said.
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