A cross section of the abducted Chibok girls.
AFP
Former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, has said that the country would not support President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to negotiate with Boko Haram in a bid to secure the release of the abducted Chibok girls.
Carrington based his comment on the US’ determination not to negotiate with terrorists.
The former ambassador made the remarks while speaking to Punch. He said:
“The
American position is refusing to negotiate (with terrorists) for the
release of prisoners by paying a ransom on the feeling that if you pay a
ransom to release somebody you will only encourage the terrorists to
take other prisoners.”
“If President
Buhari thinks negotiation is likely to bring about some kind of change I
don’t think that will bring opposition officially from the US to his
negotiating with Boko Haram.”
“I think it
is extremely important that we get back as many of the Chibok girls as
we can. My own personal view is that I will think of anything that can
be done to bring back the girls.”
“I have
no idea of what the President is thinking about doing. There are all
kinds of rumours but no real facts. So, I will support any successful
efforts to get the girls back.”
Buhari had earlier said that he would not rule out the possibility of paying a ransom for the return of the abducted girls.
The over 200 Chibok girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents on April 11, 2014.
Watch Buhari speak on the Chibok girls below:
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