opinionCould it be that the sponsors of Boko Haram want to create a basis for power to be retained in the north in 2019? Last Saturday, Boko Haram unexpectedly released 82 Chibok girls, after a gruesome three years in captivity. Boko Haram might, therefore, assume that Nigerian Army Chief-of-Staff, General Buratai's recent visit to Brazil, instead of focusing on intensifying the onslaught against Boko Haram, reflects the army's disorganisation and lack of command and control by the Commander-in-Chief. Could the release of the girls be attributed to the fact that Boko Haram and its sponsors would want Buhari to claim credit for the girls' release, rather than "President" Yemi Osinbajo? In the euphoria that accompanied the girls' release, it is easy to forget what led to their kidnap in the first place.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 11, 2017 04:07 UTC