The Boko Haram terrorists group must have been boxed into a tight corner for it to begin to plead for a soft landing in the form of detainee swap with the federal government. In that move, they are trying to take advantage of the anxieties of the parents and family members of the Chibok Girls they had kept in captivity to pressurise the government to act on their own terms. They even followed up on this devious move by releasing a video clip in which they claimed that the Nigerian Air force killed some of those unfortunate victims of past governmental ineptitude during some of its raids. For effect, they got one of the girls to read a prepared speech in their latest video release. Their intention is not lost on the discerning members of the society who see it for what it is, the antics of drowning miserable fools clutching on any available straw.That they are adopting this emotional tactic is proof, indeed, that the heat is on them which is very good enough. This time last year, that bunch of misguided bigots created the impression that they were invincible. Like bullies they went about attacking the soft underbelly of the nationvulnerable targets like mosques, churches, schools and the like. And like bullies when they were confronted with commensurate force, they melted jelly-like.We are not surprised that they are getting at the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) campaigners who are beginning to whip up sentiments urging the government to do whatever is necessary to set those girls free. Our argument in this regard is and will always be, the Nigerian authorities will receive our support in any effort it decides to adopt in trying to help those hapless and innocent girls regain their freedom. That pledge of support does not and must not include detainee swap. No self- respecting government ever goes into negotiations with a blood-sucking terrorist group. Because of their criminal nature, they are incapable of being trusted. This is a group that cannot on its own choose its leaders. So, what will be the basis for such a negotiation and with whom'Besides, engaging them on that platform is likely to be misunderstood as a recognition of their existence as a legal entity which they are definitely not. We understand the necessity of respecting the sensitivities of the parents of the girls who will definitely not mind such an arrangement if only it will guarantee the safe return of their wards. The nagging issue is, are those terrorists in a position to give such a guarantee' It is very dangerous and a calculated risk for anyone to imagine that Boko Haram possesses the humane and positive tendencies needed for such talks. Those qualities are lacking in their character and it will be a misadventure for the government, the parents of the girls or the BBOG campaigners to begin to speculate otherwise. And so, engaging them in any dialogue relating to this is an option that, in our opinion, must not be explored no matter the pressure. That cursed gang had and is still perpetrating evil around the country that even Lucifer himself must have disowned them.Already, in our view, the government and the military have the upper hand in the ongoing war and nothing short of an unconditional surrender from them will suffice. What is required now is an intensification of every measure including and especially intelligence gathering for the final onslaught that will invariably lead to the return of our dear Chibok girls. Boko Haram must be decimated to teach terrorists a lifelong lesson.
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