Meet the only Nigerian journalist with physical access to Boko Haram’s Shekau

Ahmad Salkida fled to Dubai on exile two years ago after being accused of being a Boko Haram sympathizer. He is the only neutral Nigerian civilian who has the ability to enter into a meeting with Abubakar Shekau and leave with his head still on his shoulders.

Salkida was flown back to Nigeria two weeks ago after written assurances from President Goodluck Jonathan that he would not be arrested. He was flown in due to the President’s commitment to bring the kidnapped Chibok girls back from Boko Haram captivity.

UK’s The Mail reports

“About 2,000 Boko Haram members are currently detained.

“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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