Islamist Boko Haram ready to swap 219 girls with 70 detainees

The Islamist Boko Haram sect has demanded the release of 70 of its members in detention as a condition to free the Chibok girls, it emerged yesterday.

The sect is also asking the government to give amnesty to its members. A lawyer close to the armed group, Hajiya Aisha Wakil, told AlJazeera English that the sect said only when these conditions are met would it release the abducted girls.

No fewer than 276 girls were abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State on April 15. The Boko Haram leaders deceived the girls that they were soldiers who came to protect them from attack.

There are 219 girls in their custody following the escape of 57 from their enclave.

Abuja Bomb Blast: Buhari threatens to sue PDP for defamation

Following the Abuja Bomb explosion that killed scores and injured hundreds, and the sharp allegation by the Ruling Peoples Democratic party against the opposition All Progressive Congress and its Leaders, a former head of state and National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Major Gen.  Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has threatens to sue the PDP for defamation of character.

The General who issued a seven-day ultimatum to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to retract its accusation linking him with the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist acts, tender an unreserved public apology to him, or face a legal action. In a statement he personally signed in Kaduna on Thursday Mr. Buhari said: ”I cannot sit back and allow my image, and that of my political party be smeared by falsehood in the name of politics.”