Persecuted Christians WIKIMEDIA COMMONS - African_continent-fr.svg Nigerian Cardinal Calls for Negotiations to Help Chibok Girls Speaking to Vatican Radio, Cardinal Onaiyekan Says Many Nigerians Are Embarrassed That Despite Global Campaign, Schoolgirls Have Not Been Rescued April 15, 2016 11:54ZENIT StaffPersecuted Christians Share this Entry The Archbishop of Abuja says the Nigerian government has to carry out negotiations, sooner or later, to secure the release of over 200 schoolgirls who were kidnapped in the town of Chibok by Boko Haram militants on April 14, 2014. According to Vatican Radio, this appeal of Cardinal John Onaiyekan came in the wake of the release of a video by Boko Haram purporting to show 15 of the kidnapped schoolgirls. If one wishes to rescue the girls and thousands of other innocent civilians being held by the Islamic group, the Nigerian Cardinal said the government should have “to go beyond a military response.” In an interview with Vatican Radio following the second anniversary of the kidnapping, Cardinal Onaiyekan said, “We are all very embarrassed and very ashamed that over 200 girls could disappear like this.” The cardinal lamented that despite a global media campaign, the kidnapped schoolgirls have not been located or rescue and this has caused ‘widespread embarrassment’ to the African country. Responding to whether the government is likely to open negotiations to secure the release of the Chibok schoolgirls and the hundreds of other civilians seized by the militants, the cardinal said he firmly believes that a military campaign is not the sole means of solving this problem. “There have to be negotiations sooner or later” he said, noting, “The government needs to go beyond a military response.” Cardinal Onaiyekan also said Boko Haram militants should be encouraged to hand in their arms and seek reconciliation given the signs that many of them are now “tired” and losing their impetus and much of the territory they once controlled. Turning to positive news, the Nigerian cardinal shared that many people displaced by Boko Haram militants when they overran large swathes of territory in northeastern Nigeria a couple of years ago are “now returning to their villages” because of recent advances by the military against Boko Haram. The cardinal pointed out that the Islamic militants are now largely “confined to the inner areas of the forest.” April 15, 2016 11:54Persecuted Christians ZENIT Staff View all articles
