Run-away Nigerian Journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who previously worked for Daily Trust and Premium Times
and reported extensively on Boko Haram, fled Nigeria to Dubai 2 years ago after
being accused of being a Boko Haram sympathizer. He said he fled after 'his life and that of his family became
endangered' after security agencies began to mistake his in-depth reporting
on the terrorist group as evidence of his closeness to them.
According to new reports, the Nigerian government flew him
back home a few weeks ago to negotiate with Boko Haram on their behalf, since
he's the only civilian who has allegedly seen Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and come out alive. He
reportedly came back home after the Nigerian government assured him that he
will not be arrested.
UK Daily Mail
Reported The Story Below:
One hundred non-combatant, low-level sympathisers were to be
freed and the two groups brought together in a convoy of buses accompanied by a
hand-picked go-between, respected Nigerian journalist Ahmad Salkida.
The plan had been agreed in tortuous negotiations in
response to worldwide outrage over a night-time raid on a school in the town of
Chibok on April 14 when the girls were abducted from their dormitories.
Mr Salkida was born in Borno State, where Boko Haram
originated. He has known its leaders all his life and has unprecedented access.
He has been arrested on several occasions accused of being a
Boko Haram sympathiser, and he fled with his family to Dubai two years ago.
But two weeks ago, he was summoned out of exile by President
Jonathan’s aides. He initially feared he might face arrest, but was then given
a letter of indemnity signed by the President when he flew to Nigeria.
Sources said Mr Salkida was able to travel by taxi to the
group’s forest camp to talk to Shekau two weeks ago. ‘His mission was secretive
and dangerous,’ they said.
He is probably the only civilian with access to Shekau.
There is trust between them and Salkida had only one aim – to get the
schoolgirls out.
He reported afterwards that the group of girls he saw were
alive and well, and being adequately fed and sheltered. They told him all they
wanted was to go home.
Salkida’s mission was complicated by the chaos surrounding
government’s pronouncements about negotiations with the terrorist group.
Shekau has released two shocking videos showing the girls
dressed in hijabs and reciting verses from the Koran.
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