David Mark on Boko Haram: “We will not negotiate with criminals”

Nigeria’s senate president, David Mark, has restated President Goodluck Jonathan’s refusal to accept Boko Haram’s proposal to swap prisoners for the abducted school girls.

Speaking at an empowerment programme in Cross River, Mark expressed his thoughts on the matter:

“…This government will not yield to blackmail.

This government cannot negotiate with criminals and this government will not exchange people for criminals, a criminal will be treated like a criminal.

This government will, at no distant time, bring the issue of Boko Haram and insecurity in the northern part of this country to a long term and logical conclusion.

We will mobilise all resources. If people declare war on us, we will also declare war on them.

If Boko Haram and their supporters are not ready for peace, we will be glad to deal with them in the manner people deal with terrorists and insurgents. It is not by negotiation,’’ he said.