Negotiator says some students refused to leave their Boko Haram captors

Zannah Mustapha, a mediator has revealed that some of the abducted Chibok girls refused to leave their Boko Haram captors.

According to Punch, Mustapha, 57 played a prominent role in the recent negotiations between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect.

He said “Some girls refused to return. I have never talked to one of the girls about their reasons.

“As a mediator, it is not part of my mandate to force them (to return home).”

Mustapha , who is the proprietor of the Future Prowess Primary School in Maiduguri, Borno state, said the next stage of negotiations will be on how to restore lasting peace to the North-East.

“We are not just talking; we are still actively working towards peace.

“Even though we have got (some of) the girls back, I don’t feel we have made much progress. After the (release of) the 21 girls, how many hundreds have been killed by suicide bombings?”

“While Boko Haram may indeed hold out in releasing all of the hostages to maintain some form of leverage, the reality is that the girls have limited value to the sect outside of public relations capital and are likely placing a strain on resources,” He added.

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Speaking on the issue, a psychologist, Fatima Akilu said the girls might have developed Stockholm syndrome.

Akilu also said “They develop Stockholm syndrome, identify with captors and want to remain,” said Akilu, who has run deradicalisation programmes for Boko Haram militants and women abducted by them.

“Some are afraid of what to expect, the unknown. We don’t know how much influence their husbands have in coercing them not to go back.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has donated drugs and other essential commodities to an undisclosed medical facility for the rehabilitation of the 82 rescued Chibok school girls.