Nigeria claims deal with Boko Haram

• Nigeria’s military and presidency on Friday claimed to have reached a deal with Boko Haram militants on a ceasefire but released contradictory statements on whether a deal for the release of more than 219 kidnapped schoolgirls was in place.
• “A ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad [Boko Haram],” Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Alex Badeh said. “I have accordingly directed the service chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.”
• Separately, President Goodluck Jonathan’s Principal Secretary Hassan Tukur told AFP that an agreement to end hostilities had been reached following talks, as well as the release of 219 girls held captive since April. “Boko Haram issued the ceasefire as a result of the discussions we have been having with them,” said Mr. Tukur, adding that the announcement was made “last night” (Thursday). “They have agreed to release the Chibok girls,” he continued, referring to the 219 teenage girls held hostage after their April 14 kidnapping from a secondary school in Chibok, northeast Nigeria.
• Nigeria’s chief security spokesman, however, said that there was no deal in place for the release of the schoolgirls. “No. That part has not been agreed but we are inching closer and closer,” the head of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, said.
• The different branches of the government have frequently made contradictory statements on major national events in the past, with competing agendas often leading to confusing and contradictory positions.
• Questions surrounded the purported deal, given that Jonathan is expected to declare his re-election bid and positive news about the hostages and violence could give him a political boost.
• There was also uncertainty about the identity of Danladi Ahmadu, who was said by Mr. Tukur to be Boko Haram’s representative at the talks and who gave a radio interview broadcast this morning.
• Multiple analysts cast doubt on Mr. Ahmadu’s credibility as a Boko Haram envoy while Nigeria has made similar ceasefire claims in the past which failed to materialise.