CHIBOK: Government Cancelled "Swap" Deal

The Nigerian government reportedly cancelled the "swap" deal of the abducted girls for Boko Haram prisoners when it was close to being secured.

According to BBC, the Nigerian authorities had earlier this month held negotiations through the intermediary, who met with the terrorist group leaders and visited the place where Chibok girls were being held. 

The agreement providing for the release of some girls in exchange of 100 militants serving their terms was almost reached. However shortly before the planned swap was to take place, the government called off the deal, the BBC correspondent reports.

It is not clear why the decision was changed all of a sudden.

This happened soon after the President Goodluck Jonathan had visited Paris for the anti-terrorism summit during which African leaders declared "war" on Boko Haram. Meanwhile previous reports alleged that it was the insurgents who had withdrawn the swap option after the summit. 

Nearly 300 schoolgirls were abducted last months from Chibok, Borno State. In the video released weeks after the kidnap Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau set the "swap" condition. The first reaction of the Nigerian authorities was categorical rejection, but after the harsh criticism coming from various sides information surfaced that the negotiations had started.

Currently teams from different countries are assisting the Nigerian agencies military in order to find and rescue the abducted girls held in captivity since April 14.

The security situation in the country was shattered even more when a week ago Jos, Plateau State, was rocked by twin explosion, which by now had claimed according to various resources from 118 to 200 lives. The attack is blamed on Boko Haram.

Photo: infographics on Boko Haram attacks since September 2010, credits to BBC

Photo: Infographics on number of casualties since September 2010, credits to BBC

Source: Legit.ng