FG confesses: No deal yet with Boko Haram

The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has not reached any agreement with the Boko Haram insurgents on the release of over 200 Chibok girls still in captivity.
It however said negotiation is ongoing in the Republic of Chad between the Federal Government and persons representing the Boko Haram, blaming the media for the misrepresentation that led to the widely publicised reports about ceasefire agreement and possible release of the girls.
Briefing State House correspondents after the Council of State meeting, which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday, Governor Godswil Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State said the Council was briefed by the National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
According to Akpabio: “The NSA was of the opinion that high level contact with the Republic of Chad was made and that some persons who acted on behalf of Boko Haram and who claimed to have authority also had discussions with them and there are some Nigerian officials with them and, of course, no agreement has been reached yet.
“It is just that the press probably misunderstood what was reported.
“The discussions are ongoing.
“What came out of the NSA briefings was that the President will do everything possible to ensure the release of those young girls and to ensure protection of lives and property.
“And that will include dialogue, where you can have the people to dialogue with because you cannot dialogue with people that are faceless and therefore every opportunity must be explored to ensure peace returns to the region.”
Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, said Boko Haram’s capture of Mubi, the second largest town in Adamawa State, does not suggest that the military is helpless.
Badeh is also not comfortable with the emphasis being placed on the capture of his home town, Vintim, in Adamawa State.
His words: “How can Nigeria be helpless?
“If CDS loses his hometown, it is the same thing as losing Lagos.
“Any part of Nigeria that is lost, the CDS carries the weight.
“It is immaterial whether it is my hometown, whether it is my house that is burnt or it is Emeka’s house that is burnt.
“Whoever’s house is burnt in Nigeria, the CDS is pained.”