Facts emerged on Friday that the Federal Government was considering some of the peace terms of Boko Haram, the fundamentalist Islamic sect, which had masterminded bombings in the North for more than one year.
The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, had after the Federal Executive Council meeting last Wednesday, told journalists that government had accepted to hold talks with Boko Haram in the interest of peace.
Earlier demands of the Islamic sect had included release of their members being detained and prosecuted, and President Goodluck Jonathan’s conversion to Islam.
However, the Presidency had spurned these demands.
But it was authoritatively gathered that one of the sect’s fresh demands was the payment of compensation or Diyya for their members they considered “killed unjustly” by security forces.
Our correspondent learnt that government might accede to the Diyya demand.
The sect is reported to have identified about 24 of such members.
One of them was the leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, who was killed in 2010 in Maiduguri, after he was reportedly captured alive by soldiers.
Yusuf was then handed over to the police, under whose custody, he died mysteriously.
Our correspondent learnt that the sect put the compensation to the family of the 24 deceased members at N2million each.
Consequently, for the 24 families, the Diyya to be paid is N48million.
Apart from compensation, the sect is also pressing for the release of those clamped into detention without committing any crime.
Presidency insiders said these were “not too difficult conditions.”
Under this category of persons are women and children whom they said were innocent.
The thinking of the government based on ongoing dialogue, is that the sect might not object to the trial of those found to be deeply involved in crime, once those “wrongly arrested or detained” breathe the air of freedom.
Once these conditions were met, they would cease fire, a source stated.
Contrary to the widely-held view, it was discovered that the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), was not the brain behind the ongoing talks between the Federal Government and the sect.
Government does not want to expose those behind the talks to avoid a previous experience, when the disclosure of the identities of the dialogue handlers frustrated the move.
A top presidency source said, “I can confirm to you that it is true that the group is currently dialoguing with the government.
“The good news is that they are talking and they have promised to cease fire once some of their demands are met.
“For conditions that are not difficult to meet such as the demand for Diyya for their 24 identified members that were killed, the government may meet such demands.
“Government can also give critical thought to those found to be innocent, but are being detained or prosecuted, particularly women and children as demanded by the group since they do not have any objection to the trial of those genuinely involved in crime.
“They have on their own promised to cease fire and go after the ‘political Boko Haram’ once the demands are met.”
The Voice of America had reported on Tuesday that Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, a top member of the sect, claimed that Boko Haram decided to initiate the peace moves in response to numerous public appeals for peace in the country.
Earlier peace talk between the two parties was stalled when a Muslim cleric, Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad, who was a mediator in the discussions called it quit.
Ahmad, the President, Supreme Council of Shariah in Nigeria, said in a statement that he had come to doubt the sincerity of the Federal Government after information from a confidential meeting was leaked to the press.
He had confirmed that his group had made contact with “leadership of the sect and established from them that as Muslims they were prepared to consider ‘Sulhu’ which means ‘broad reconciliation’ regarding the dispute between them and the government.”
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I applaud d FG for dis candid gesture and pray dat it yields good fruit dat wil last. KUDOS!
ReplyDeleteI wil only chip in dis piece of advice dat FG in considering d conditions should apply all necessary caution so dat Nigerians lives shal nt be gambled with afta meeting their demands.
ReplyDeleteWho will compensate the families of those murdered by Boko Haram?
ReplyDeleteNa ur papa an ur mama, stupid person bc non of ur relative were kill i.e why u would say did. Ubanka dan iska!!!
DeleteI just wonder the kind of country we live in.
ReplyDeleteShame to some people in this life,most especially some people who call their self Christians.we worship a GOD of consuming fire,but Christians think it always peace even when their Children is being killed.I was in Maiduguri when muhammed yusuf was killed,this animal killed one reveren Oji n an old man becouse they refuse to renounce Christ,infact they where eheaded.so many innocent people died,bullet hit the gate behind me but the bullet didn't get to me becouse I am created for a specian purpose.Who conpensate all this innocent people? Why will people be happy about such evil dialogue? It is written in the Bible that Anti Christ will rule the world but that will be after the rapture,Take it or leave it,Islam is Anti Christ. Even the quran talked about Islam ruling the world.I will rapture In Christ name,Amen.but while I live I will never be a party to the shit coming from muslims.IBB,N the rest of them trained this animals autside this country N bring them to formert trouble,they will never Die well even their Chilren.If animals are compensated who compensate innocent people? Are they tied of fighting? Why dialogue now? Christians must throw away that mindset that Our GOD is only a GOD of peace,don't mis-interpret the message!! GOD gave Isrealit a land where people are already living N told them to fight N take over the land!!! That is the GOD we worship. The muslims are taking advantage of this weakness,conpensate Boko Haram N see the worst.When the former president gave amnesty it was under force,60days they gave to south south militants to accept amnesty.why will this animals be telling us what they want,to conpensat a criminal who killed innocent people? Well I am ready for that day when hell will let loose in this country.I will kill more N live,the Bible says ask N u will receive.
ReplyDeleteWhat will the sect do about those that have died due to their attacks on the FG and the Church?
ReplyDeleteVery good question oh, who ll compensate them? But we hope this dialogue brings an end to this menance.
ReplyDeleteThe Nigeria leaders need deliverance.
ReplyDeleteI pray God to let the spirit of Jerry Rawlings fall on a chosen leader. The ruling class need to be rejuvenated.
ReplyDeleteWe do not have a goververnment,so they are bigger than the govenment.
ReplyDeleteThis is just rubbish everytime d nigeria government give in to Terrorist,Nija Delta came, we gave dem amnesty n money nw Boko haram 2. When will d Nigeria government b capable of doing things right for once, so now your telling us if anoda group should start there own kidnapping and bombing 2mr they will get money cos our govt can't protect us. U don't negotiate with terrorist n if ur even gona Negotiate don't let the public knw cos ur jus encouraging some stupid ones outside there 2 start there's.God bless Nigeria
ReplyDeleteThis is unprecedented, it only set the phase that violence pays. We will never ever gonna be out of this mess. Govt have set the standard. Boko haram, mend, delta boys, will not be the only group that will be taking this country as a hostage. Prepare for an acapolyst . Naija is ruin for ever. Mark my word
ReplyDeleteShame to nigerians,especially those who are happy abaut this cowardly act.I was in maiduguru when the idiot was killed,he beheaded two men of integrity becouse they refuse to renounce Christ.If Criminals will be compensated who compensate innocent nigerians who died in the hands of this Criminals? Don't take becouse U ar still living to support evil N caword act like this.If GEJ try this then he will live to regret it N nigerians will see even the worst for giving Criminals honour.
ReplyDeleteFG is MAD.
ReplyDeleteWho will compensate the families of the innocent people killed by BH, and what's the guaranty that after they have collected the 48mm the bombings will stop?
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOD. Mr Goodluck, tell me you are not this gullible. Are you actually going to give boko haram N48million?!? Do you think the members are gonig to use the money to buy beachfront houses and cars or something? They are going to use it to buy guns and bombs and all manner of weaponry. This is why it's not good to negotiate with terrorists! Don't you know that in the quran it is said that a man (especially the likes of those in boko haram) should do everything to support Jihad, even sell their last drop of blood!!! Don't be a fool... these people are just giving you Taquiyya (holy lie according to islam)!!!
ReplyDeleteI pray this isn't true.
How I wish our top government personels can watch complete copies of the film "24" and learn how situations like Boko haram is to be handled.
ReplyDeleteAll we need now in Nigeria is peace. Let FG meet with their demands for peace to reign.
ReplyDeleteIn whose interest is this dialogue, Nigerians or Jonathan?,what happens to all the people killed by BH? What a shame.
ReplyDeleteIn Nigeria we pick up guns threaten our father, mother, uncles, aunties, brothers, sisters and kill our cousins and in-laws.
ReplyDeleteThen when we are tired we demand for money before we will stop the harassment and killing.
Nobody cares for those who suffered. But they are the ones that need the money most.
Nigeria, I'm just observing you.
Observantman
FG want to meet boko haram demand its gud but i pray it bring peace to this country
ReplyDeleteYes, give them 48M so they can buy more weapons and kill more Christians. FG these people are not sincere.
ReplyDeleteSo the government wants to provide N48,000,000.00 to these bastards to buy more guns and make more IEDs.... To hell with terrorists, no one attends to such demands.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the guarantee that there would be ceasefire after the negotiation is over....??? I am not sure accepting this part of the deal is right!
One thing I know is that god will surely judge and nemesis will catch up with those that shed innocent blood. The negotiation with BK will not stop God's judgement.
ReplyDeleteEmex, this your comment is amazing. The bullet hit the gate behind you but did not get you because you are created for a special purpose. Be careful o! Sometimes it is easy to go overboard with boastings in Christ. Your comment gave me goose bumps and not in a good way.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry... another group is coming. They will call themselves Ganja Fight Force Liberation Group. Fighting for the legalisation of Ganja. Wait and see!
ReplyDeleteWho is fooling who
ReplyDeleteThis country self, na drama wt evrything about our Presido. Imagine, paying 48million naira to bombers. You are making evil lucrative in dis country. Ha ab!
ReplyDeleteBoth Jonathan and his advisers are fools!!! A fool at 40 is a fool forever. Please let someone wake Mr. President up because he is a big dreamer. I hope the bomb gets to ASO ROCK soon.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 2:25pm,God bless u bro...I called Jonathan a fool on where he needed feedbacks on NEPA issues and some idiots started calling me names...I'm sure non of the idiots commented here cos I smell fools from a distance..God bless u all for these comments..FG aint serious..How have dey helped the masses or families of those who lost their lives in the merciless hands of BH?
ReplyDeleteAll the negative comments by people against the government 's gesture are not wishing Nigeria well or maybe because God has safed them from the agonies of the ill-intentioned citizens. I beg Mr president go ahead with your plans to safe Nigeria the trouble, after all is not about Christians or Muslims is about Nigerians. May God help us Amen.
ReplyDeleteIts okay if it will bring peace to that region of the nation. But what will be compensated for all those peace loving patriotic Nigerians murdered by them in churches, their homes, etc. Who will compensate them and after the payment, what next.
ReplyDeleteWho are they paying, men in shades or masquerades? If their demands are sensible to their bomb brains, let them come out openly and make their demand and we all in the south south will even support them cos 1 senator can handle that bill, it shouldn't come from the national purse.