114 still missing as another round of negotiation begins

Two days after the release of additional 82 girls kidnapped from GGSS Chibok in Borno State, credible sources told the Daily Trust yesterday that the third part of negotiations for release of more of girls has commenced.

The sources, however, said some of the girls were not willing to come back, on the grounds that they had gotten married to Boko Haram insurgents with some having children.

One of the sources close to the discussions, who do not want to be named, said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed for more action to bring the girls back home.

“But the truth is that some of the girls are just not willing to come back; I don’t know whether they really wanted to remain behind or they’re under the influence of something.

“Remember, we told you when some 21 girls were released in October, last year, that some of their colleagues said they would remain with their captors,” he said.

Another source also said one of the conditions given by leaders of the Boko Haram, was that they will not compel any of the girls to return.

“The Boko haram leaders said as the negotiation continue, no girl will be forced to renounce ‘her husband’ the same way they were not compelled to renounce their faith in the last three years,” he said.

“And you should know that some of the girls have died of illnesses and some during confrontations; therefore, it is not possible for all of them to return at the end of the day,” he added.

Daily Trust recalled that on the day of the abduction on April 14, 2014, at least 276 were taken away but 57 of them escaped almost immediately while being ferried into the Sambisa forest.

In May 2016, Amina Ali escaped with a baby and another girl was rescued few months later.

In October, 21 of the girls were released following negotiations brokered by the Swiss government, the Red Cross and some local intermediaries.

For now, 114 of the girls were still in captivity, including those that died, whose number could not be ascertained.