The purported talks between the Federal Government and the Leadership of Boko Haram may be fake or dubious, Shehu Sanni, foremost Northern Right Activist has said.
Sanni, who has been in close contact with the leadership of the Islamist Militant group said any talks with the Islamist group not coming from the Mallam Shekarau, the leader of Boko Haram should not be considered serious or real.
He urged the Government to stop raising false hope as no credible evidence on ground suggests any contact with the Boko Haram leadership.
A man purported to be a spokesman for Boko Haram had said the group is engaged in direct talks with the Federal Government on ending violence in the country’s North.
The Voice of America (VOA) said it obtained a statement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, from one Habu Mohammed, who claims to be a deputy to the sect’s leader, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, which said the militant group decided to initiate the peace moves in response to numerous public appeals for peace in the country.
Minister of Information Labaran Maku in a statement at the weekend while confirming talks between the Federal Government and the leadership of Bokor Haram said the government would look into the grievances of Boko Haram.
“I am not aware of any talks going on. No credible talks are going on. If there is going to be any genuine talks, there should be confirmation from the leadership of the group and not the government. The only channel of communication by the group is through YouTube posting by the leader, Mallam Shekarau. And as far as I am concerned, I do not think or believe that there is any dialogue going on because it has not come from the usual source,” Sanni said
Sanni stated that “The talks between the Federal Government and Boko Haram is not impossible, but it must be done honestly and sincerely and through channels that are credible. From my own understanding, the Federal Government must have been drawn into dubious talks or it is more of ‘arranged’ talks.
“I am of the belief that this arrangee talks will only undermine the search for peace. And then I will add that this senseless killings and bombing going on in the North should be ended by honest and sincere commitment and not by seizing, misinforming and misdirecting the conscience of Nigerians.
“A genuine talk can only be recognised by a cease-fire and cessation of all hostilities and that can only be believed if it comes from the leader of the group. So, what we should understand is that Nigerians are tired of this violence, and many innocent lives have been lost; and the solution to it must not be through bogus peace talks or concocted dialogue.”