Monday, 26 May 2014

Jonathan - Nigeria Will Not Enter Prisoner Swap Deal With Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed the position of the Federal Government regarding the possible prisoner exchange deal with Boko Haram members.

He demanded an unconditional release of , who have already spent over 42 days in Boko Haram captivity.

President Jonathan stated this during Asu Ekiye musical concert and fund raising ceremony, FCT Abuja, on May 25, 2014, Sunday.

* President Goodluck Jonathan is being welcomed by the President of the Christian Association Of Nigeria Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor along with the Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Johnkennedy Opara (L), Former Chaplain, Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Williams Okoye at the 2014 Democracy Day Interdenominational Church Service on May 25, 2014. Photo credit – Vanguard

He urged Nigerians to support the efforts his Administration had been making to bring back the girls, adding that the terrorists have declared war on the citizens and they must rise up as one to fight and win back Nigeria.

The president, who was represented by a Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Student Matters, Comrade Jude Imagwe, said Nigerians must stop the 'blame game' and 'the pull down syndrome' that were distracting the ongoing war against terrorism.
He further commended the resolute spirit of the citizens in the face of the insurgency, adding that the nation have won the fight against terrorism by their resolute spirit.

We'll Never Trade Our People With Animals
The Senate President David Mark had sent a harsh message to the insurgents, saying that Nigeria was not in position to negotiate prisoner swap deal with the people, who were currently in war with some parts of the country and whose instincts and actions were “animalistic”.
“We are not negotiating with criminals who like animals are killing people and destroying property without any reason; we have the resources to wage war against anybody who declares war on us and defeat such people and their sponsors”, he said in front of a crowd of supporters of Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, in Ikom, Central Senatorial District of Cross River State on May 24, 2014, Saturday.
At the same time, a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General TY Danjuma, argued that Boko Haram had friends among Nigerians and such people should prevail on the sect to release the girls unconditionally.
It would be recalled that in , 2014, its leader, Abubakar Shekau, opened the door for negotiations. He maintained that as long as the girls had accepted Islam, they would not be harmed and may be exchanged with jailed sect members. However, the , stating that Boko Haram “cannot give conditions”.

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