No ceasefire deal with Boko Haram yet –FG

The National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki disclosed this to the Council of State meeting held yesterday inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.This was contrary to the government’s earlier announcement on October 17 that leaders of the sect had accepted its proposals and agreed to a ceasefire.Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio while […]

The National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki disclosed this to the Council of State meeting held yesterday inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
This was contrary to the government’s earlier announcement on October 17 that leaders of the sect had accepted its proposals and agreed to a ceasefire.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio while addressing State House journalists after the meeting quoted the NSA as having told the Council that there was no ceasefire and that the media misunderstood the issue.
On the fate of the Chibok schoolgirls, Akpabio also quoted the NSA as having told the Council that discussions on ceasefire were still going on.
He said: “The NSA was of the opinion that high level contact with the Republic of Chad was made and that there were some persons who acted on behalf of Boko Haram and who claimed to have authority also had discussions with them and there are some Nigerian officials with them. And, of course, no agreement has been reached yet, it is just that the press probably misunderstood what was reported. The discussions are ongoing.
“What came out of the NSA’s briefing was that the president will do everything possible to ensure the release of those young girls and to ensure protection of lives and property.
“A major issue discussed today was the issue of the security of the nation. We received a report from the National Security Adviser on the security of the nation. He briefed the Council on the current war on insurgency and explanations were given on issue of Chibok girls.”  
Akpabio added: “The Council was satisfied that the Defence Ministry and all the agencies have taken the right steps and the president is on course, and sooner or later, Nigerians will hear good news; but we urge Nigerians to be patient and that the issues of terrorism are not issues that could be finished within a day or two.”
Our correspondent reports that former Heads of State Generals Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar as well as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal were absent at the meeting.
The former leaders present at the meeting were Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Senate President David Mark as well as former Chief Justices Mohammed Lawal Uwais and Idris Kutigi were also present.
Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was the only All Progressives Congress (APC) governor that later joined the meeting.
The governors in attendance included those of Jigawa, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Abia, Kaduna, Niger, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Kogi, Cross River, Taraba and Ondo states.