Boko Haram: FG disowns Australian negotiator, says no plans to prosecute Sheriff, Ihejirika
The Federal Government has denied hiring an Australian, Dr Stephen Davis, as a mediator between it and the Boko Haram sect.
The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri made the position of the Federal Government known in Abuja.
The official added that the FG does not have any plan of prosecuting any Nigerian for now over allegations made by Mr. Davis.
The Perth-based international advisor had named a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, a former Chief of Army Staff, General Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika and an ex-senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria as sponsors of the violent group.
But Omeri insisted on Friday that the Federal Government has not hired anybody to negotiate on its behalf with the Boko Haram sect.
“For now, the Federal Government of Nigeria has not appointed anyone to negotiate on its behalf with the Boko Haram sect, anytime it decides to do so, the Federal Government will make it known to the public.
“On the various allegations made by the alleged negotiator, the Federal Government is still investigating it, whatever should be done rightly will be done but there is no plan to probe any Nigerian for now”, he said.
On the taking over of Gwoza and Bama by the Boko Haram sect, Omeri said Bama and Gwoza still remained part of Nigeria.
“Bama and Gwoza still remains part of Nigeria, the Federal Government will not cede any part of its territory to any group as troops are still on ground in Borno State and are capable of defending the state no matter the situation”, he said.
Omeri, however, could not confirm if 21 local government areas have been taken over by the Boko Haram sect as being alleged by some Nigerians.
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On the abducted Chibok girls, the coordinator stated that the release of the girls still remained paramount to the Federal Government as their abduction was still a source of concern to the Federal Government.
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