Abducted Chibok Girls: The Only Nigerian Journalist With Access To Boko Haram Wades Into Negotiation

Ahmad Salkida, the only Nigerian journalist/civilian to have access to Boko Haram was reportedly flown in a few weeks back by the Nigerian government to act as negotiator between them and the Boko Haram extremists.

Ahmad Salkilda
Salkida, who previously worked for Daily Trust and Premium Times and reported extensively on Boko Haram had fled Nigeria to Dubai about 2 years ago,  after he was being accused of being a Boko Haram sympathizer.

Salkida, civilian who has allegedly seen Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and come out alive, was said to have flown back home after the Nigerian government assured him that he will not be arrested.

He tweeted:

There is nothing wrong in having professional access to insurgents as long as it is used to save lives and promote peaceful coexistance...
— Ahmad Salkida (@ContactSalkida) May 26, 2014

Trusted by both the government and extremists from Boko Haram, Salkida acted as go-between, risking his life on a one-man mission to enter the gunmen’s lair and broker an agreement, according to security sources.

Mr Salkida was born in the north-eastern state of Borno, where Boko Haram originated and after arriving the country was able to travel by taxi to the group’s forest camp to talk to Shekau two weeks ago.

Security sources said, "His mission was secretive and dangerous. He reported afterwards that the group of girls he saw were alive and well, and being adequately fed and sheltered. They told him all they wanted was to go home."

His mission was however complicated by the chaos surrounding the Nigerian government’s pronouncements about negotiations with the terrorist group.

The deal was that one hundred non-combatant, low-level sympathisers were to be freed in exchange for the girls but the Nigerian government reportedly cancelled the "swap" deal of the abducted girls for Boko Haram prisoners at the last minute.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Reuben Abati said yesterday, May 26 that he was not aware of any attempted rescue plan taking place last week.

Over 200 were school girls were kidnapped on April 14, in Chibok community, Borno and the Nigerian government has making efforts to secure their release. According to the military the girls have been located but they cannot go in get them by force.