Boko Haram Bought Powerful Weapons With Chibok Girls’ Ransom – Military Source

Top military sources have claimed that the recent ransom paid to Boko Haram in exchange for the release of some Chibok girls is contributing to the current spate of killings and disappearances of soldiers engaged in the fight against the insurgents.

The Punch quoted some military officials as saying that despite denials by the Nigerian government, money was paid to the sect to secure the release of the abducted girls.

The sources also averred that the insurgents demanded for $50m for the release of the girls but the federal government eventually paid about a quarter of the sum.

It was gathered that Nigerian government paid the cash in two currencies – the naira and the CFA Francs to the leaders of the sect to facilitate the release of the girls.

However, the top military officials, who preferred anonymity, maintained that the recent upsurge in the activities of the insurgents is not unconnected to the huge ransom paid for the release of the girls.

It would be recalled, 83 soldiers were reported missing in October, days after they came under a Boko Haram attack.

Also, on November 4, seven military men, including Lt.-Col. Muhammad Abu-Ali, were killed on their way to reinforce troops at Mallam Fatori during a Boko Haram attack.