Buhari invites UN to step into negotiations with Boko Haram

President Muhammadu Buhari says rescuing the Chibok girls abducted from their school in Borno over two years ago is getting increasingly difficult.

He therefore appealed to the United Nations to mediate with Boko Haram.

Buhari made the appeal to Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, during a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 71st UN general assembly in New York, Femi Adesina, his special assistant on media and publicity, said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement, Buhari said releasing the girls is becoming more challenging, especially in terms of getting bona fide Boko Haram leaders to discuss with.

“The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of Boko Haram to discuss with,” Adesina quoted the president as saying.

“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.”

Buhari said his administration is willing to “bend over backwards” to rescue the Chibok girls.

He said Boko Haram is anti-Islam.

“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,” Buhari added.

Ban Ki-moon commended Buhari “on the anti-corruption war” and the fight against Boko Haram but urged him to respect the rights of humans at all times..

“You are highly respected by world leaders, including myself. Your persona has given your country a positive image,” he said.