By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigerian government has reportedly maintained a secret three-month ceasefire with Boko Haram after negotiations that led to the release of 360 civilians abducted in northeastern Nigeria.
According to an investigation by The New Humanitarian, the reported truce began in June after talks connected to the release of villagers abducted from Ngoshe, a community located near the Mandara Mountains along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.
Three individuals with contacts within Boko Haram, including some who have links to senior members of the group, reportedly confirmed separately that the ceasefire has been in place since June. The sources also said the agreement could be extended for another 40 days.
Two of the sources told The New Humanitarian that Boko Haram attacks had stopped in communities around Ngoshe, which have faced repeated assaults by the armed group.
Release Of 360 Villagers Preceded Truce
The 360 villagers were reportedly abducted in March during an attack by Boko Haram on an army base near Ngoshe.
The negotiations that resulted in their release allegedly involved a payment of five billion naira ($3.7m) by the Nigerian government.
The reported payment has generated controversy, with the Nigerian government denying that it paid a ransom for the release of the abducted villagers.
The New Humanitarian said it approached government, defence and army spokespersons for confirmation of the reported ceasefire but did not receive a response before the publication of its investigation.
The reported agreement is said to involve Boko Haram alone and does not cover the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a rival armed group that operates across northeastern Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad region.
Fighting between Boko Haram and ISWAP has reportedly continued.
Truce Contrasts With Government Position
The reported ceasefire comes despite the Nigerian government’s public position against negotiating with Boko Haram, which Nigerian authorities have designated as a “terrorist organisation”.
President Bola Tinubu has instead prioritised strengthening the country’s military capacity to combat armed groups. In July, he announced plans to recruit 30,000 additional personnel and establish four new army divisions.
However, The New Humanitarian reported that there have been several attempts behind the scenes to open dialogue with Boko Haram. The publication cited security officials, diplomats and mediators familiar with previous efforts.
Some of those attempts reportedly produced ceasefire arrangements that later collapsed.
Conflict researcher Malik Samuel cautioned against viewing the latest reported truce as evidence of a permanent peace process.
“It could be just a temporary, tactical ceasefire that benefits both sides, but doesn’t really affect the trajectory of the war,” Samuel said.
The reported pause could also provide Boko Haram with an opportunity to improve its position. Two sources reportedly warned that the group could use the period to move equipment into the Mandara Mountains.
Boko Haram has waged an insurgency in northeastern Nigeria and carried out attacks and kidnappings in neighbouring countries across the Lake Chad region since 2009. The group has since split into several factions, with ISWAP emerging as a separate and rival armed group.
The Daily Reality could not independently verify the reported ceasefire or the alleged five-billion-naira payment.
