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The federal government has begun investigation of the true leadership of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram for negotiation, a presidency source told Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
According to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the federal government needs to know those identifying themselves as the Boko Haram representatives before creating forum for the dialogue.
“Though the federal government did not formally inform or invite Boko Haram for the talk, but the government is trying to prevent negotiating with impostors,” he said.
President Buhari in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour said that his administration would be willing to negotiate with Boko Haram if it meant returning the 219 Chibok schoolgirls from captivity.
The girls were captured by the militant group in their dormitory in a boarding school in Chibok, Borno State in April 2014.
“If we are convinced that the Boko Haram leadership… can deliver those girls we would be prepared to negotiate what they want,” President Buhari told the CNN during an interview on his official visit to the US.
President Buhari also said that the US had agreed to help the Nigerian military in the fight against Boko Haram, and that he had asked for assistance in training, equipment, and intelligence.