President Buhari invites UN as negotiator over Chibok girls

President Buhari told the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon that Nigeria would welcome intermediaries from the global body as a show of commitment to swap the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok with Boko Haram fighters in custody.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary General at the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, President Buhari said the Nigerian government was willing to enter into negotiations to get the Chibok girls released from captivity.

He said: "The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of Boko Haram to discuss with,".

"The split in the insurgent group is not helping matters. Government had reached out, ready to negotiate, but it became difficult to identify credible leaders. We will welcome intermediaries such as UN outfits, to step in.”

The President reiterated that the teachings of Boko Haram were far from being Islamic, as neither Islam, nor any other religion, advocates hurting the weak and innocent.

"The fact that they kill men, women, children, and other people wantonly, and shout Allahu Akbar (God is great) shows that they do not know that Allah at all. If they did, they would not shed innocent blood,".

He thanked Ban Ki-moon for the moral and material support given to Nigeria, which has enabled the country surmount many of the challenges facing her.

The UN Secretary General In his response congratulated President Buhari on the anti-corruption war, declaring: “You are highly respected by world leaders, including myself. Your persona has given your country a positive image.”

He said the UN recognized the achievements of the Buhari administration against Boko Haram, urging that human rights be upheld always, to prevent a repeat of the scenario being witnessed in Syria.