Reprieve might soon be coming the ways of the abducted Chinook girls as the government has commenced negotiation with Boko Haram on the swapping of its detained members for the girls.
This is according to reports in the Punch. In an effort for smooth and effective swapping, the security agencies had started conducting a fresh profiling of the Boko Haram detainees in line with a directive of the Federal Government.
It was learnt the profiling would include the time they were arrested and the de-radicalization programme they had undergone.
The swop talks with involve the military, the police, the Nigeria Prison Service, the office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Justice It was gathered that although the government had not decided on the militants that would be released in exchange for the Chibok girls, insurgents, who had not been tried could be the first beneficiaries of the swop deal.
It was also learnt that detainees, who had undergone the “de-radicalization” programme of the government, would be considered under the arrangement. Investigations showed that the government had started addressing problems that could hinder the swop talks with the sect following its factionalization early this month.
A top government officer, who confided in Saturday PUNCH, said that the government had started addressing the problem. He said, “I can assure you that the government is identifying genuine members of the sect it is negotiating with. We won’t repeat the mistake the immediate past government made by talking with those who will not produce the girls.
“Government is not opposed to swopping. Other countries, including Israel, have done it. In fact, security agencies are conducting fresh profiling of the sect members that are being detained. That is the first move. If there are sect members that have not been tried, they will be the first set to be considered under the arrangement.”
