The Federal Government has reiterated its call on militant groups to come forward for dialogue, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Vice-President Namadi Sambo made the call in Abuja on Thursday.
NAN quoted Sambo as saying, “It is clear today that the terror attacks are clearly against all segments of our society, which is uncalled for.
“I must seize this opportunity to call on all the groups to come forward for dialogue. Government is ready to discuss.
“History has proved that even wars that are fought for decades, at the end, are concluded only by dialogue.
The VP expressed concern over the activities of some groups whose activities portrayed Islam in a negative and evil light, saying, “I am not aware of any religion in the world that encourages unprovoked and relentless attack on other people.”
He said government was doing all it could to tackle the security problems in the country.
Sambo gave the assurance that the activities of militant groups in the country would not jeopardise government’s effort at stimulating Foreign Direct Investment.
He said, “Our desire to propel Foreign Direct Investment cannot be jeopardised. We are therefore extending our hands of friendship to our foreign friends with genuine intentions to come and do business in Nigeria.
“We assure them that our effort at tackling this menace is real and determined. Let me also appeal to foreign missions in the country to continue to support our efforts in this direction.
“Such a gesture will not only be appreciated, but will go a long way in strengthening the cordial relationship mutually shared by our countries. ”
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Futhermore, Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed, on Thursday said the government had been working with traditional rulers to bring the members of the Boko Haram to the negotiation table.
Mohammed, who spoke while playing the host to the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Roberto Colamine, in Abuja, said the government started the process of dialogue because of a willingness to understand the grudges of the members of the sect.
He said, “We are now working with traditional rulers and official leadership of the country to bring the Boko Haram element to negotiating table to understand what their grudges, what are their demands.
“Because it is the duty of the government to attend to the concern of all Nigerians, we prefer that that a non- violence means is used to express this concern and demands.
The minister added that the government was ready to speak with the Islamic sect to ensure that it was acting in the interest of Nigerians.
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