Nigerian Military Officials Declare Ceasefire Agreement With Boko Haram

The Nigerian government and the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram have reportedly reached a ceasefire agreement, according to government officials today.

The government itself has not released an official statement, but the deal with the militant group entrenched in the West African country was reportedly declared by Nigeria's chief of defense staff Alex Badeh. According to Voice of America, Badeh issued an order telling service chiefs in the country "to comply with the ceasefire agreement between Nigeria and Boko Haram in all theaters of operations."

Government spokesman Mike Omeri further discussed the deal at a press conference in Abuja, the Guardian reported, saying: "Already, the terrorists have announced a ceasefire in furtherance of their desire for peace. In this regard, the government of Nigeria has, in similar vein, declared a ceasefire."

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While Boko Haram has yet to confirm the agreement on its end, the government said negotiations were also progressing towards the release of the more than 200 school girls kidnapped from the Nigerian town of Chibok by the militant group in April.

According to Omeri, the negotiators for Boko Haram "assured that the schoolgirls and all other people in their captivity are all alive and well."

Andrew Noakes, CEO of Frontier Intelligence and coordinator of the Nigeria Security Network, told VICE News that: "If confirmed, this ceasefire would be unprecedented in the history of the conflict." He said it would bring relief and hope to the kidnapped Chibok girls and the millions of people in northern Nigeria facing constant danger due to the insurgency.

"However, we should remain cautious in welcoming this news. Boko Haram is a fragmented organization, and it's unclear which factions have signed up to this deal," Noakes explained. "We can't be certain until we get confirmation from [Abubakar] Shekau, Boko Haram's figurehead."

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However, this is the first time Boko Haram has been rumored to be near a deal in which they would hand over the girls.

"We have to wonder what the Nigerian government has given away in exchange. Boko Haram is likely to have demanded money, arms, and the release of captured fighters," Noakes said, adding that this kind of transfer would increase the organization's operational capacity. "A ceasefire will also give Boko Haram a chance to consolidate its recent territorial gains in the northeast of the country."

The ceasefire announcement comes as Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to announce his bid for re-election. National elections for the country are set to be held in 2015. Jonathan was first elected president in 2011 and this would be his second term if his campaign is successful. The leader has been heavily criticized for his handling of the kidnappings and Boko Haram in general, but Noakes said brokering the return of the Chibok girls could help him.

"It's unclear whether the Chibok girls will be released as part of this deal, but if so it would be a coup for President Jonathan just prior to the anticipated announcement of his candidacy for re-election," Noakes said. "No doubt the timing of this deal has been calibrated in part to suit the political context."

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