The Federal Government  has denied hiring Australian man, Dr  Stephen Davis as a  Boko Haram negotiator.

It also said  it is not clear yet on his alleged status as acting as a  Boko Haram negotiator on behalf of the Federal Government.

The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri who made the position of the Federal Government known on the issue in Abuja yesterday said it does not have any plan of prosecuting any Nigerian for now following the various allegation made by Stephen Davis.

Stephen Davis has insisted that former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Army Staff, General Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika are Boko Haram sponsors.

He also accused an unnamed senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as a man based in Cairo, Egypt whom he claimed operates as Boko Haram’s bagman as major players in the funding and continued existence of the deadly Islamist sect.

Dr Davis who said he did not want to mention the name of the  CBN official as this may affect investigation by Nigeria’s security service stated that his allegations were informed by discussions he had with several Boko Haram field commanders over a long period of time.

But Omeri insisted yesterday that the Federal Government has not hired anybody to negotiate on its behalf with the Boko Haram sect.

“For now, the Federal Government of Nigeria have not appointed anyone to negotiate on it behalf with the Boko Haram sect, anytime it decides to do so, the Federal Government will make it known to the public”

“On the various allegations made by the alleged negotiator, the Federal Government is still investigating it, whatever should be done rightly will be done but there is no plan to probe any Nigerian for now”he said

On the taking over of Gwoza and Bama by the Boko Haram sect, Omeri said Bama and Gwoza still remains part of Nigeria.

“Bama and Gwoza still remains part of Nigeria, the Federal Government will not cease any part of its territory to any group as troops are still on ground in Borno state and are capable of defending the state no matter the situation”he said

He however said he cannot confirm if 21 local government have been taken over by the Boko Haram sect as being alleged by some Nigerians.

On the abducted Chibok girls, Omeri said the release of the girls still remains paramount to the Federal Government as their abduction still remains a source of concern to the Federal Government.


Source: The Nation