By Samuel Malik
Ahmed Salkida, the journalist declared wanted by the Nigerian army, has indicated his willingness to make himself available for questioning, saying in the next few days he will be returning to the country.
Salkida, believed to be based in the United Arab Emirates, was declared wanted alongside Ahmed Umar Bolori and a lawyer, Aisha Wakil, for allegedly refusing to divulge information that would lead to the rescue of the missing Chibok girls.
In a rejoinder to the wanted notice posted on his website, salkida.com, Salkida, said he was willing to turn himself in, in spite of his being out of the country, adding that his return could be expedited by the military sending him a flight ticket.
“The army is aware that I am not in Nigeria presently. In the coming days I will seek to get a flight to Abuja and avail myself to the Army authorities. Indeed, my return will be hastened if the military sends me a ticket,” he stated.
He also revealed that in the last one year, he had been invited by different government agencies, adding that he honoured all the invitations.
“As a testimony to the credible and professional values of my access, since May 2015, I have been to Nigeria three times on the invitation of Federal Government agencies. I made personal sacrifices for the release of our Chibok Girls,” Salkida added.
In a similar vein, Aisha Wakil has said she is ready to be quizzed by the army.
In an interview with Premium Times, the lawyer expressed shock at learning that she was wanted in connection to Boko Haram, especially as the military personally knows her.
“They know me very well. Right from (former President Goodluck) Jonathan’s time. I am not hiding,” She said, adding that she might travel to Maiduguri from Abuja to report at the 7 Division Nigerian Army barracks.
“I’m in Abuja right now, but I am thinking of going back to Maiduguri so I can see them at the main barracks there,” she noted.
This is coming after the third wanted person, Bolori, reported himself to one of the barracks in Maiduguri but was surprisingly told to go home and come back the next day.