The Director-General of the Department of State Services
(DSS), Lawal Daura, has given an explanation as to why government negotiated with Boko Haram
for the release of abducted lecturers of the University of Maiduguri and
10 women from captivity.
The DG disclosed that negotiating with the terrorist group was the “safest” way to rescue those abducted.
According to Daura, “We choose the path of negotiation because it was
considered as the safest because any forceful attempt to rescue the
victims could endanger their lives.”
“These negotiations took several months and the Department of State
Services with the support of the external elements of the group in
diaspora and support from friendly countries and liaising with
International Community of the Red Cross, made the rescue possible.”
“The process was slow due to the problem of dealing with two
different groups based in different locations at the same time. In
addition, the negotiations took place mostly outside the country, though
subsequently finalised in the theater of operations.”
“The negotiations were mainly centred on an attempt at conflict
mitigation which include the fate of arrested members of the insurgent
groups especially, accepting to free by government those found not to be
culpable in any criminal action.”
“Also, possible cessation of hostilities especially the attacks with
IEDs on innocent civilians, worship centers, schools and other public
places in return for temporary stoppage of air strikes by helicopter
gunships.”