By Omotolani Oresanwo
Against the backdrop of the report that the Federal Government may negotiate release of the kidnapped Chibok girls with arrested members of Boko Harams, the Northern Elders’ Forum and the Northern Elders’ Council has advised the Federal Government to thread softly on such negotiation.
Dr Paul Unongo, Deputy Chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum while applauding the negotiation with the insurgents on the release of the Chibok girls opposed any swapping deal with the insurgent.
Unongo said, “The first issue is, yes, there is negotiation. The second issue is that Boko Haram insurgents have said they will bring back the Chibok girls if we release their bomb maker that has taken the lives of hundreds of Nigerians.
“I think as much as we desire that the girls be released, for the government to release a person that has the capacity to produce something that can take the lives of thousands of Nigerians, we are a bit worried.
“The dilemma is, we want the Chibok girls to be released and Boko Haram is driving a major negotiating strategy. It seems they have got our balls and they are squeezing the balls, saying ‘if we don’t do it, we will squeeze it more.’
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However, he urged the Federal Government to intensify their onslaught against the insurgents which in his opinion will give the government an advantage over them.
“While we are negotiating, we should intensify the battle and make it so uncomfortable for the insurgents that the possibility of them being allowed to speak first is removed.
“I think I will rather use that strategy than release a bomb maker who has killed thousands of Nigerians. The man who can make a bomb and with his capacity (to cause destruction), I don’t think we should let him off the hook so easily,” he added.
In his reaction, Tanko Yakasai, the Chairman of the rival Northern Elders’ Council was of the opinion that if negotiation will put an end to the ravaging war in the North East, Federal Government should enter into negotiation with the Boko Haram sect so as to put an end to the killing of innocent citizen of the country.
Speaking further, Yakasai said, “The President himself did not say he was going to do that (swap Chibok girls for Boko Haram members). If he is going to release the expert in bomb making, what guarantee has he that when that man is released he will not go and make more bombs that would kill more people?”
