Half of Chibok girls may never come home – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that more than half of the over 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram may never return home.

Obasanjo told PREMIUM TIMES that it was “inconceivable” that all the girls would be rescued and it would be a “near miracle” if they were all recovered.

“If the administration had acted quickly, we could have rescued them. “The best it seems we can have now, is if the government agrees to negotiate, we can get half,” he said.

He said that the Government’s response time to the abduction was too long, with President Goodluck Jonathan not saying anything about the matter for three weeks.

Obasanjo said he had tabled a proposal before th Federal Government to initiate talks with Boko Haram but was yet to receive a response.

“If they agree to negotiate, then, we can begin to talk with them (Boko Haram). Nobody can do anything alone.

“You cannot do it alone, it is not a one-man mission, it’s not even a two man mission. It’s a collective mission. It can even be an international mission,” he said.

Obasanjo said he was aware that the government was moving through with another process. “I read that they are working with one Rev. Davis from Australia, who is close to the Bishop of Canterbury,” he said. “That is fine. We have to hope for the best.”