FG Denies Hiring Australian Negotiator
The Federal Government has denied hiring Dr Stephen Davis as a Boko Haram negotiator.
The FG speaking through coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, disclosed the government’s position on the issue in Abuja on Friday, said the government has no plan of prosecuting any Nigerian for now following the allegations made by the Australian negotiator.
“For now nobody has been hired by the government to negotiate on its behalf with Boko Haram. Anytime the government decides to do so, it will make it known to the public.
“The government is still investigating the allegations made by the alleged negotiator. However, the government has no plan to question anybody because of those allegations made by the Australian,” he stated.
READ ALSO: Australian Negotiator Reveals Boko Haram Sponsors
On August 30, it was reported that the Australian Negotiator, Stephen Davis had insisted that former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika are Boko Haram sponsors.
He also accused an unnamed senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as a man based in Cairo, Egypt whom he claimed operates as Boko Haram’s bagman as major players in the funding and continued existence of the deadly Islamist sect.
Davis, who refused to disclose the identity of the CBN official, said his allegations were informed by discussions he had with several Boko Haram field commanders over a long period of time..
Following the allegations, Modu Sheriff has since reacted to the Negotiator's accusation saying: “
He, however, threatened to sue the Australian Negotiator, Stephen Davis over his accusations.
Meanwhile, the Australian negotiator, Stephen Davis has dared Ex-governor of Borno state, Ali Modu Sheriff to sue him.
Stephen Davis, is a 63-year-old Australian hostage negotiator who spent some time in Nigeria trying to secure the release of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants in Chibok, Borno.
The Australian expert had acted as a negotiator not only in the Chibok issue, but also as an adviser for Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Yar’Adua.
READ ALSO: Boko Haram Sponsors Must Be Prosecuted – Femi Falana
Davis spent 4 intense months in the North-East and his life was subject to extreme danger while he tried to rescue more than 200 school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram on April 14. He returned with rare footage of the intense fighting in the region.
Source: Legit.ng
