Nigerian military has struggled to defeat Boko Haram which began attack against Nigeria since 2009. The President’s Principal Secretary, Hassan Tukur, told BBC Focus on Africa that an agreement to end the Boko Haram hostilities had been reached after talks with the violent group.
He said,
“The Boko Haram members have assured us that they have the girls and
that they will release them. I am cautiously optimistic.” He
said the agreement was reached after one month of negotiations in Saudi
Arabia. The negotiation was said to have been headed by the Chadian
President Idriss Deby.
Tukur said Boko Haram announced a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday and the government had responded. Tukur and Danladi Ahmadu, who calls himself the Secretary-General of Boko Haram, told VOA’s Hausa service that the abducted girls would be released on Monday in Chad.
The girls are alive, “in good condition and unharmed,” Ahmadu said. President Goodluck Jonathan has faced strong criticism over a deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, with villages in the North-East Borno State inaccessible due to the threat from Boko Haram.
The group had demanded the release of detained extremists in exchange for the schoolgirls.
The Defence Headquarters have directed all commanders to stop offensive against the Boko Haram sect. The Chief of Defence Staff said he had directed his officers to comply with the ceasefire agreement. Badeh said, “A ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the Federal Government and the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal Jihad (Boko Haram).”
“I have accordingly directed the service chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.
Tukur said Boko Haram announced a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday and the government had responded. Tukur and Danladi Ahmadu, who calls himself the Secretary-General of Boko Haram, told VOA’s Hausa service that the abducted girls would be released on Monday in Chad.
The girls are alive, “in good condition and unharmed,” Ahmadu said. President Goodluck Jonathan has faced strong criticism over a deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, with villages in the North-East Borno State inaccessible due to the threat from Boko Haram.
The group had demanded the release of detained extremists in exchange for the schoolgirls.
The Defence Headquarters have directed all commanders to stop offensive against the Boko Haram sect. The Chief of Defence Staff said he had directed his officers to comply with the ceasefire agreement. Badeh said, “A ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the Federal Government and the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal Jihad (Boko Haram).”
Badeh added,
“Without any prejudice to the outcome of our three days interactions,
and the conclusions of this forum, I wish to inform this audience that a
ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the Federal Government
of Nigeria and the Allul Sunna Li Daawa Waj Jihad.
“I have accordingly directed the service chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.
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