Buhari seeks UN's assistance in negotiating release of abducted Chibokgirls

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the United Nations to help mediate with the terror group, Boko Haram, in order to free the abducted Chibok girls.

The teenage girls were kidnapped by the Boko Haram in April 2014 from their government-owned school in Chibok, Borno State. The Buhari‎ administration has faced heavy criticisms for its inability to secure the release of the girls.

Speaking on Wednesday in New York during a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, Mr. Buhari ‎said his government was willing to accept the UN as a mediator. He reiterated his earlier stance that it was difficult identifying the credible leadership of the sect.

“The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of Boko Haram to discuss with,” the President told the UN Scribe. “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.”

Mr. Buhari’s statement was contained in a press release by his spokesperson.

Read the president's statement below:

As a show of commitment to swapping the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok with Boko Haram fighters in custody, President Muhammadu Buhari has told the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, that Nigeria would welcome intermediaries from the global body.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the UN scribe at the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, President Buhari said the Nigerian government was willing to bend over backwards, to get the Chibok girls released from captivity.

“The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of Boko Haram to discuss with,” the President said, adding that, “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,” President Buhari said.

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.

In his response, the UN Secretary General 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.

Ban Ki-moon also thanked the Nigerian leader for his commitment to issues on climate change, adding that the government should “own the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” for the good of its citizens.