As the Federal Government explore options in rescuing the girls seized by Boko Haram from their school in Chibok, Borno State, over a month ago, Alhaji Tanko Yakassi,Chairman of the Northern Elders Council, NEC, and the National Coordinator of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, NPAPB, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, in separate interviews yesterday, threw their weight behind the plan by the Federal Government to dialogue with the sect in a bid to free the more than 200 girls in its custody.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has rejected the idea of a swap of Boko Haram prisoners for the schoolgirls, Britain’s Minister for Africa said after talks with him in Abuja, yesterday.
“He made it very clear that there would be no negotiations with Boko Haram that involved a swap of abducted schoolgirls for prisoners,” Mark Simmonds told a news conference.
The northern leaders, who are delegates to the ongoing National Conference, said the Federal Government had no option than to negotiate in good faith with the sect to return the children to their parents and end their agony.
While welcoming the assistance of the United States of America, USA, to help find the missing school children, Mohammed who is the leader of NPAPB said that all other conditions should be subordinated to saving the children.