Senator Shehu Sani on Friday said he played a key role in securing the release of 21 of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls from terrorist sect Boko Haram.
The Federal Government on Thursday said it secured the released of the girls without swapping Boko Haram commanders.
According to Sani the girls would have been released earlier but for the lackadaisical attitude of former president Goodluck Jonathan.
He said he made efforts to secure their release by contacting various governments to act as a mediator.
“In the course of looking for a mediator, I first went to the European Union, then British Embassy and then Saudi Arabia. Vehemently, Saudi Arabia rejected involvement. It was after all these efforts failed that I contacted the Swiss government through their embassy,” he said.
Sani said he linked the Swiss government officials with Barrister Mustapha Zannah who served as a negotiator. Zannah later went ahead to include the International Community of the Red Cross (ICRC) into the arrangement.
“It all started in 2014. It was at that time that the foundation was laid but the last administration was unwilling to implement the deal,” he said.
Sani refused to state the method used to secure the release of the girls. He also said when all arrangements were in place the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mallam Daura was contacted, and he approved the deal.
“It is not good to disclose the method used because most of the girls are still with the sect”.
He also expressed optimism that the remaining girls will be released.
“I’m very optimistic that it will be soon. The confidence has been built and the foundation has been laid. In no time, the rest will be freed.”
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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