A Northern-based activist and President of Civil Rghts Congress of Nigeria, Mallam Shehu Sani, declared on Wednesday that the meeting between ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo and family members of Boko Haram insurgent was to open a new channel of dialogue with the sect.
He added that the meeting, which held in Abeokuta, was aimed at finding a way of releasing the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.
The activist, who confirmed to be part of the meeting in a statement in Kaduna on Wednesday, noted that the meeting was meant to fashion out a fresh understanding to resolve the crisis of insurgency bedevilling the country.
Sani’s statement read, “My statement is in response to the reports and the enquiries on the Abeokuta meeting with the former president Olusegun Obasanjo and some family members of the Boko Haram group.
“This is to confirm that the meeting actually took place and I was part of it. The meeting was solely aimed at exploring the possibility of opening a new channel for dialogue or negotiation with the sect members towards securing the release of the abducted Chibok girls held in captivity for over a month.”
He said at the meeting with the former president and the Boko Haram family members, there was an appraisal of the previous reportedly collapsed backdoor deal that was later cancelled by the government.
He said, “I wish to also confirm that the report of the intervention of Mr. Salkida in negotiating the release of the Chibok girls is credible.
“I personally introduced Salkida to the government and spoke about him in many of my previous interviews. He had tried his best in the past and of recent to help in resolving the insurgency through dialogue but was on all occasions frustrated by the government.
“Mallam Salkida should not be vilified but should be appreciated. Salkida’s attempt could have actually seen to the release of the abducted girls. The meeting in Abeokuta was aimed at repackaging and salvaging the dialogue option.”
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