Following the release of 21 of the over 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls last week, Islamist terrorists Boko Haram is set to table conditions before more of the girls will be released to the Federal Government.
It is understood that the insurgents freed the 21 girls last week to test government’s level of commitment and sincerity in the ongoing negotiations, while the release of the remaining girls may be based strictly on ransom payment and the exchange of no fewer than 16 top Boko Haram commanders in government custody.
However, a source close to the negotiations told Vanguard that of the 219 girls still missing, only 104 were left in the captivity of the sect while the rest had long been married off by top commanders and converted to Islam.
“The truth is that those Chibok girls are now Boko Haram members, having married the sect members and become radicalised,” the source said.
“The remaining 83 girls are with a top leader of Boko Haram and those are the only ones we are going to work for their release in the next phase of our negotiations which starts immediately.”
He added that representatives of the sect, who are meeting with a Federal Government team, are bent on cash payment upfront by government before freeing the next batch of captives.
“I think the guys are settled on the idea that the cash must come ahead of the release since they had proved to government that they are reliable by releasing the 21 girls, last week, without many conditions attached”, the source stated.
He also noted that a major drawback to the negotiations is the leadership tussle within the sect, as some of the girls are with a faction loyal to Sheikh Benawhi, while the rest are being kept by the group loyal to Abubakar Shekau.
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