No agreement yet on Chibok girls, says FG

The Council of State rose from its meeting on
Tuesday with a statement that the Federal
Government had yet to reach any agreement with
the Boko Haram sect on the fate of the abducted
Chibok girls.
It said although discussions were still ongoing, it
was clear that the media misunderstood the
position of the government on the reported
ceasefire.
Governor Godswill Akpabio said this while briefing
State House correspondents of the outcome of the
meeting presided over by President Goodluck
Jonathan.
He was joined at the briefing by Governor Adams
Oshiomhole of Edo State and Governor Idris Wada
of Kogi State.
Akpabio said the council was briefed by the
National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki
(retd.), on the efforts being made to rescue the
schoolgirls.
He said, “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.
“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’s 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.
“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 return to the region.”
Akpabio said the council was satisfied that the
Defence Ministry and all the agencies had taken
the right steps aimed at ensuring peace and
tranquility.
While saying that the President was on course, the
governor said sooner or later, Nigerians would
hear good news.
He urged Nigerians to be patient and that the
issues of terrorism were not issues that could be
finished within a day of two.
“There are some instances in which countries had
to contend with insurgency for years, but in the
case of Nigeria, we said we must find a practical
means of bringing insurgency to an end in the
shortest possible time so that Nigerians can sleep
with their two eyes closed.”