“We Are Ready For Dialogue” Federal Government Says to Boko Haram

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its willingness to have a peaceful dialogue with members of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in order to end the prevailing wind of insecurity and deadly attacks on innocent people.

At the National Symposium, organised in Abuja by Nasirul-Lahi-Faith Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), tagged “Islam and Peaceful Co- Existence in a Contemporary Multi-Religious Society’,  Vice President Namadi Sambo who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion said: “Government is ready to discuss. History has proven that even wars that are fought for decades, at the end, are only concluded by dialogue.”

The vice-president lamented the activities of some negative forces whose activities have portrayed Islam in a negative and evil light, saying: “Islam is a religion of peace; it is a way of life. It cannot promote senseless killings and wanton destruction of property. I am not aware of any religion in the world that encourages unprovoked and relentless attack on other people.”

“It is clear today that the terrorist attacks are clearly against all segments of our society and this is uncalled for. I must seize this opportunity to call on the various militant groups to cease-fire and come forward for dialogue.” he said

In a similar development, the Minister of Defence, Bello Mohammed, disclosed that the Federal Government, in collaboration with some traditional rulers, is set to bring Boko Haram sect to the negotiating table with a view to ending the menace of violence perpetrated by the group.

Speaking when he received the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Colamine, in his office, Mohammed said that FG had resolved to use traditional and official leaders to bring the group to a dialogue.

“The concern of the government is peace and what the government is doing is for the benefits of all Nigerians,” he said.

Also moving for a speedy dialogue,  Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Governor of Gombe state said recently that he was ready to dialogue with the sect for peace to reign in the country.

According to him, it has become imperative and very important to brainstorm with members of the group if the state, the zone and the country must witness development.

Indeed, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno warned that if nothing serious was urgently done to address the high rate of insecurity , the entire North would become uninhabitable in the next five years.

“For now, we have to do it in our enlightened self interest because nobody would stay in northern Nigeria, believe me, in the next five years. Believe me, nobody. None of us here is prepared to.”

With the Federal Government and state governors calling for the peaceful end to the Boko Haram attacks in the country, it is hoped that members of the sect will see reason and dialogue with them.

But do you think dialogue with the sect is the way out? This is not the first time the Federal Government is calling for dialogue with the sect, however, in recent times, members of the sect have been more vocal using various platforms like YouTube and interview with journalists to make their demands known. If they are talking more now, it is only proper for the Federal Government to respond back.

Please share your thoughts.

News Source: Daily Times | Vanguard