Chibok Schoolgirls: Nigerian Government still studying Boko Haram video (PREMIUM TIMES)

Several hours after the Boko Haram released a video showing 136 of the kidnapped Chibok girls and stating a condition for the release of the girls, the federal government’s only response is that it is still studying the video.

In the video released on Monday morning, Abubakar Shekau, the sect’s leader, said the kidnapped school girls will only be released if the Nigerian government releases all Boko Haram prisoners in detention.

Hundreds of Boko Haram prisoners are held in various detention centres across Nigeria with some, like former cell leader, Kabiru Sokoto, already sentenced for terrorism. The Boko group has killed thousands of people in terrorist activities since its insurgency began in 2009.

In its reaction on Monday evening, the Nigerian government said it is still studying the content of the video.

The government’s stance was contained in a statement by Mike Omeri of the recently formed Nigeria Information Centre.

“The Federal Government has seen the online video reportedly issued by the Jama’atu ahlul sunnah lidda’awati wal jihad (Boko Haram Sect) of the abducted Nigerian School girls who Have been in captivity since 15 April 2014.

“Government is reviewing the content of the video and the accompanying statement issued by the sect.

“Government will continue to explore all options for the release and safe return of our girls back to their homes.

“An earlier report by a section of the media purported to have been issued by Government is totally false,” Mr. Omeri, the head of the National Orientation Agency, said in the brief statement.

While the government said it is still studying the video, the military said it would take action based on any directive by the president.

The military’s stance was stated by its spokesperson, Chris Olukolade, in a text message response to an enquiry by PREMIUM TIMES on whether the military was willing to negotiate with the Boko Haram after its latest demand.

“The Nigerian military will continue to subscribe to and implement the position taken by government on this issue,” Mr. Olukolade, a Major General, said.

In their reactions to the Boko Haram’s demand, leaders of civil society groups expressed divergent views on the possible negotiation with the sect.

“Well, if the Government negotiates with them, it means they can do worse than this,” said Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC.

“So, I don’t think we should start negotiating with these people on the fact they committed atrocities, they committed crimes but these children did not commit anything.”

The executive chairman of the Coalition against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, however, said no sacrifice was too much for the release of the abducted girls.

“It is more important to have the girls back by any means possible. There is no sacrifice that should be too much to bring those girls back. So, yes, I think the Federal Government should negotiate with Boko Haram for the release of the abducted girls,” he said.

The recent video shows about 136 girls believed to be the kidnapped victims.

The girls, all dressed in full-length hijab, with only faces and hands showing, were reciting Suratul-Fatiha, the first chapter of the Holy Quran.

Mr. Shekau claimed most of the girls have converted to Islam and the ones that have converted are now ‘sisters’ to the sect’s members.

Over 250 girls were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, on April 14. About 53 of them were later reunited with their families with many of those escaping from their abductors.