{"id":57507,"date":"2014-10-17T18:05:45","date_gmt":"2014-10-17T18:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=57507"},"modified":"2014-10-17T18:05:45","modified_gmt":"2014-10-17T18:05:45","slug":"nigeria-and-boko-haram-agree-ceasefire-and-girls-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=57507","title":{"rendered":"Nigeria and Boko Haram ‘agree ceasefire and girls’ release’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nigeria’s military says it has agreed a ceasefire with Islamist militants Boko Haram – and that the schoolgirls the group has abducted will be released.<\/p>\n

Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh, announced the truce. Boko Haram has not made a public statement.<\/p>\n

The group has been fighting an insurgency since 2009, with some 2,000 civilians reportedly killed this year.<\/p>\n

Boko Haram sparked global outrage six months ago by abducting more than 200 schoolgirls.<\/p>\n

The girls were seized in the north-eastern town of Chibok in Borno state, and their continued captivity has led to criticism of the Nigerian government’s efforts to secure their release.<\/p>\n

Members of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign\u00a0said in a tweet\u00a0<\/a>on Friday: “We are monitoring the news with huge expectations.”<\/p>\n

‘Cautiously optimistic’<\/p>\n

Air Chief Marshal Badeh revealed the truce at the close of a three-day security meeting between Nigeria and Cameroon. He said Nigerian soldiers would comply with the agreement.<\/p>\n

\n

Nigeria’s chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh, announces the truce to the media<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur told BBC Focus on Africa that the agreement was sealed after a month of negotiations, mediated by Chad.<\/p>\n

As part of the talks, a government delegation twice met representatives of the Islamist group.<\/p>\n

Mr Tukur said Boko Haram had announced a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday and the government had responded.<\/p>\n

\"BBC<\/div>\n

“They’ve assured us they have the girls and they will release them,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I am cautiously optimistic.”<\/p>\n

He said arrangements for their release would be finalised at another meeting next week in Chad’s capital, Ndjamena.<\/p>\n

The negotiations are said to have the blessing of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, reports the BBC’s Chris Ewokor in Abuja.<\/p>\n

\n

Boko Haram means “Western education is forbidden” in Hausa<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Speaking to the BBC, Nigerian government spokesman Mike Omeri said Boko Haram would not be given territory under the ceasefire agreement – and that the government would not reveal what concessions it would make.<\/p>\n

“We are inching closer to release of all groups in captivity, including the Chibok girls,” he said.<\/p>\n

\"line\"<\/div>\n

Analysis: Will Ross, BBC News, Lagos<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nigerian officials had not given any indication that negotiations with Boko Haram were taking place. Even though there had been rumours of talks in neighbouring Chad, this is a very surprising development.<\/p>\n

Many Nigerians are extremely sceptical about the announcement especially as there has been no definitive word from the jihadists.<\/p>\n

The military has in the past released statements about the conflict in north-east Nigeria that have turned out to be completely at odds with the situation on the ground.<\/p>\n

So many here will only celebrate when the violence stops and the hostages are free.<\/p>\n

\"line\"<\/div>\n

In May 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in the northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, vowing to crush the Islamist insurgency.<\/p>\n

But Boko Haram increased its attacks this year.<\/p>\n

The group promotes a version of Islam which makes it “haram”, or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with Western society.<\/p>\n

It frequently attacks schools and colleges, which it sees as a symbol of Western culture.<\/p>\n

\"line\"<\/div>\n

Who are Boko Haram?<\/p>\n

\"Boko<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau is the most wanted man in Nigeria<\/div>\n