The Nigerian Cabinet Minister, Tanimu Turaki has said that the Nigerian government is ready to dialogue with Boko Haram for the release of more than 200 abducted schoolgirls.

Boko Haram abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in the town of Chibok in Borno State on April 16 and is still holding them hostage despite outrage from the international community.

The abductions triggered a worldwide social media campaign under the Twitter hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, and prompted the United States, Britain, France and Israel to offer expert help to Nigeria to free the girls. The United States is currently flying a surveillance aircraft in the remote areas of the northeastern parts of the country.

Today is exactly one year President Goodluck Jonathan declared state of emergency in 3 States in the northeast in a bid to end the Boko Haram crisis.

But local reporters say President Jonathan has asked Parliament to extend for another six months the state of emergency despite it not being effective to deal with the situation.

Boko Haram released a video on Monday showing the abducted girls in hijab and reciting the first chapter of the Quaran. The militants also said in the video that they are ready to swap the girls with jailed Boko Haram fighters.

Cabinet minister Turaki said that if the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau was sincere, he should send representatives to talks with government. The minister said the government is ready to talk for the safe release of the abducted schoolgirls. He added that Mr. Shekau should send people he trusted to meet the standing committee on reconciliation.

“Dialogue is a key option in bringing the crisis to an end and that an issue of this nature can be resolved outside of violence, the window of negotiation is still open”, he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment for dialogue.

When Boko Haram called for the swap of its jailed fighters for the girls, the government initially suggested there would be no negotiations with Boko Haram but has taken a quick turn.

Local reporters say there are mix reactions among the public as to whether the government should hold talks with Boko Haram or not. Some are of the opinion that it would give further grounds to Boko Haram while others think the security of the abducted girls should be the primary focus.

Almost 7,000 people have been killed while dozens of people have been left injured since Boko Haram began their militancy in 2009.

Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News

Writer’s Email Address: Adamsisska@googlemail.com

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