Chidi Samuel || There was good news for the families of the estimated 195 Chibok girls who are still being held captive by Boko Haram insurgents as the Federal Government Wednesday confirmed that negotiations were ongoing for the release of the girls. The girls were part of the over two hundred Chibok school girls abducted three years ago in Bornu State.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo made the disclosure at an interaction session with activists and Journalists at the State House, Abuja. The Vice President was optimistic that negotiation with the insurgents would lead to the release of the girls.
Prof Osinbajo, however, did hint that was difficulties in negotiation with the insurgents mainly due to the split within the group as the girls are spread between the Abubakar Shekau faction and the Abu Musab al- Balawa group.
He said, “There is a lot of negotiation going on.”
Osinbajo continued, the government has “gone quite far” with negotiations to free more girls, but did not provide details of the negotiations for apparent security reasons”.
“It is a matter of conscience and it’s a matter that concerns everyone”.
It will be recalled that 21 of the abducted school girls were released last year following negotiations between the federal government and Boko Haram insurgents.