QuoteThe Nigerian government has announced what it says is a truce with Boko Haram militants and a deal to free more than 200 abducted schoolgirls.

If this turns out to be true it will be some of the best news Nigerians have heard for decades.

The fact that the announcement comes from the top of Nigeria's military ought to give it considerable weight. This is not a whisper or a rumour of a deal. It is a statement from the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh.

But there is massive scepticism here, and some question whether the announcement was in any way timed to coincide with the imminent announcement that President Goodluck Jonathan is going to run for re-election.