In what can be described as a drastic shift from the sects hard line
position, the sect which has been staging insurgent attacks against the
Nigerian government in northern Nigeria on Thursday offered to cease all
hostilities if the federal government will arrest and prosecute the
immediate past governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff.
One Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz who claimed to be one of the leaders
of the Islamic sect, made it known that the group will call for a
ceasefire if the federal government arrests and prosecutes the immediate
past governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
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In a telephone press conference in Maiduguri the Borno State capital
today, Abdulaziz told journalists that he was speaking for the sect as
he has been directed to do so by the leader of the Jama’atul Ahlis Sunna
Liddaawati wal Jihad widely known as the Boko Haram.
“If this former governor is arrested, this thing will end as we are highly offended with what happened three years ago”
He claimed that Sheriff (the former Governor) while in office sent
securities to arrest and kill most of their members while practising
their religion, adding most of them are at the moment languishing in
various prisons across the country.
He called for compensation as most of their wives and children have been killed while their properties have also been destroyed.
Saudi Arabia venue
The sect he revealed have adopted Saudi Arabia as the neutral venue
for the proposed dialogue with the federal government, saying the choice
of Saudi Arabia is because the federal government has failed them in
the series of the negotiations.
Abdullaziz said five of its members have been mandated to liaise with
five members of Borno Elders to find ways of meeting the federal
Government to end the insurgency.
He listed the Nigerian mediators to include Alhaji Shettima Ali
Mongonu, General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim,
Ambassador Gaji Galtimari and Barrister Aisha Wakil and her husband.
“The committee members of the dialogue he stressed include; my humble
self, Abu Mohammed Abdullaziz, Sheik Abu Abas, Sheik Ibrahim Yusuf,
Sheik Sani Kontagora, and Mamman Nur”
Boko Haram, formed in 2009, claims western education is sinful and
proposes that interaction with the western world is forbidden and also
opposed to the Muslim establishment and the federal government of
Nigeria and therefore wages what the sect calls a war against them.
Since August 2011 the insurgency attacks and counter insurgency is
reported to have claimed over 2,000 lives. The sect staged a number of
attacks on government establishment by planting bombs and using suicide
bomb attacks at strategic locations and churches across the northern
region of the country.
Move by Boko Haram ie welcomed – Presidency
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr
Reuben Abati responding to the development confirmed to Channels
Television that the presidency has gotten the offer.
“Yes, I have seen the story in which the Boko Haram is reportedly declaring a ceasefire and the opening of dialogue.”
“I think it is important to restate the position of government in
this matter. The Federal Government is committed to peace and security
for the benefit of all Nigerians. If what the proposed ceasefire is
intended to achieve are the objectives of peace and security, then it is
a welcome development.”
“Don’t forget that President Jonathan had made it clear that if the
people behind Boko Haram are ready to come forward, and table their
grievances, then government will be willing to listen to those
grievances. “
“There have been attempts before now, by concerned persons to reach
out to the Boko Haram through back channels, in response to government’s
call that all efforts should be made to resolve the problem. I suspect
that this latest development may be related to that. Definitely,
government is determined to ensure peace, peace, and peace, and protect
the rule of law, and at the same time, see that justice is done where
wrongs have been committed” stated Dr Reuben Abati.
Presidency endorses offer
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr
Reuben Abati responding to the development confirmed to Channels
Television that the presidency has gotten the offer.
“Yes, I have seen the story in which the Boko Haram is reportedly declaring a ceasefire and the opening of dialogue.”
“I think it is important to restate the position of government in
this matter. The Federal Government is committed to peace and security
for the benefit of all Nigerians. If what the proposed ceasefire is
intended to achieve are the objectives of peace and security, then it is
a welcome development.”
“Don’t forget that President Jonathan had made it clear that if the
people behind Boko Haram are ready to come forward, and table their
grievances, then government will be willing to listen to those
grievances.”
“There have been attempts before now, by concerned persons to reach
out to the Boko Haram through back channels, in response to government’s
call that all efforts should be made to resolve the problem.”
”I suspect that this latest development may be related to that.
Definitely, government is determined to ensure peace, peace, and peace,
and protect the rule of law, and at the same time, see that justice is
done where wrongs have been committed” stated Dr Reuben Abati
Source: Channels
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