Boko Haram ‘announces’ ceasefire

Boko Haram has announced a ceasefire, following successful peace negotiations with the federal government.

The news was confirmed in Abuja on Friday by Alex Badeh (pictured), an air chief marshal and chief of defence staff; and Mike Omeri, coordinator of the National Information Centre (NIC).

Since the 2009 killing of Mohammed Yusuf, its founder, by the police, Boko Haram has overseen the killing of an estimated 10,000 people, majority of them in the northeast.

Omeri specifically said Boko Haram had declared a ceasefire that the government would honour.

“We can confirm to you that there have been contacts between the government and representatives of Boko Haram,” he said.

“The discussions are essentially in relation to the general insecurity in the northeast and also the need to rescue all captives of the terrorists, including the students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state.

“From discussions, they indicated their desire for and willingness to discuss and resolve all associated issues. They also assured that the school girls and all other people in their captivity are all alive and well.

“Already, the terrorists have announced a ceasefire in furtherance of their desire for peace. In this regard, the government of Nigeria has, in similar vein, declared a ceasefire.”

Continuing, he assured Nigerians that the greater goal of the process was to restore normalcy to the land, especially in parts of the country troubled by the activities of terrorists.

“President Jonathan’s commitment to peace and security in Nigeria and indeed, all parts of the world has been the driving force of all engagements and measures taken since the war on terror began in the country,” he said.

The government named the Boko Haram negotiator as Ahmadu Danladi, the security officer of the sect, while Idris Derby, president of Chad, is negotiating on behalf of the Nigerian government.

Full text of Omeri’s briefing is reproduced below:

TEXT OF THE MEDIA BRIEFING BY THE COORDINATOR, NATIONAL INFORMATION CENTRE (NIC)/DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY (NOA), MIKE OMERI, OFR ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 AT THE NATIONAL BRIEFING CENTRE, GARKI, ABUJA.

UPDATE ON THE WAR AGAINST TERROR IN THE COUNTRY
1. We can confirm to you that there have been contacts between the government and representatives of Boko Haram.

2. The discussions are essentially in relation to the general insecurity in the North East and also the need to rescue all captives of the terrorists, including the students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.

3. From the discussions, they indicated their desire for and willingness to discuss and resolve all associated issues.

4. They also assured that the school girls and all other people in their captivity are all alive and well.

5. Already, the terrorists have announced a ceasefire in furtherance of their desire for peace. In this regard, the government of Nigeria has, in similar vein, declared a ceasefire.

6. Finally, this is to assure Nigerians that the greater goal of this process is to ensure the return of normalcy in the land, especially in parts of the country troubled by the activities of terrorists. President Jonathan’s commitment to peace and security in Nigeria and indeed, all parts of the world has been the driving force of all engagements and measures taken since the war on terror began in the country.

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