A purported senior member of Islamist militant group Boko Haram yesterday distributed a letter requesting talks with the government.
An attack on the police formation in Abuja yesterday and Sunday’s double suicide bombing at the Command and Staff College in Jaji are linked to the sect but the letter was silent on those attacks.
The letter was signed by Sheik Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez, a man known by local security sources in Maiduguri to be a sect member but considered to be a moderate.
Reuters report that If the letter is genuine, it would appear to mark a change of tack for the Islamists that fits ill with a spate of violent episodes.
Nearly 3,000 people have died violent deaths related to the conflict since the sect launched its uprising in 2009, according to a count by Human Rights Watch.
The letter was handed to the an official of the local chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Aba Kakami, who has often received and distributed statements from the sect, usually claiming attacks against high profile targets or warning of them.
Communication with the sect has been even more sporadic than normal since the military killed their spokesman Abu Qaqa in September in a gun battle.
Abdulazeez first contacted reporters in Maiduguri earlier this month, setting conditions for peace talks in a teleconference and nominating former military head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and others as mediators. Gen, Buhari has since declined the offer.
“We are by this letter of invitation to our respected elders proving to government that we are not joking with the government, but we are awaiting the response of those concerned,” the letter said.
Abdulazeez said he was speaking on behalf of Abubakar Shekau, the sect’s leader.
But even if Abdulazeez does represent Shekau, the extent to which Boko Haram is controlled by Shekau is in doubt, and analysts think military pressure has fragmented it.
The letter nominated as mediator, Imam Gabchiya, an official of the University of Maiduguri.
There was no immediate reaction from government officials, but President Goodluck Jonathan said on Nov. 18 that no talks were going on with Boko Haram while they remained faceless and in the shadows.
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I think in the best interest of Poor Nigeria , we should negotiate or dialogue with BH.
ReplyDeleteFederal Government can use the same Journalist as there PRO to get to BH.
I'm just thinking about what could be solution to this problem .
Foodstuff are very expensive now as trader cannnot travel to not to get enough food for South People .
ReplyDeletePlease dialogue and let the case close .
We dont need to beg Buhari for dialoque .
ReplyDeleteContact the remaining people and start dialoque.
We just need to stop every day killing by any means.
Let me be sincere with you GEJ.
ReplyDeleteYou can not handle BH with Military or Police Force .
Just go for dialogue option .
So that your administration can focus on another important issue .
I advice Boko Haram to show up theirselves and meet with presidency. Also baba Joe shouild look at the rate Nigerian citizens are dying like foul to solve this Insulgency Pls.
ReplyDeletePeople are funny,you think a dialogue with criminals can bring peace? That only means criminals have over powerd the govt. Which means doom for all Nigerians, BH will be overpowerd. Just wait and see.
ReplyDeletethere should be no dialogue with terrorist they do not know the language of peace they must be dealt with severelly and if this present government is not capable the people who do justice to boko haram they are not intelligent they only know violence they are easy to defeat with cordinated effort of people i suggest boycott every transaction with muslim cos your money is used to fund terrorist
ReplyDeleteDialogue is a booby trap for the Govt and the generality of Nigerian masses.If the Govt yeilds to this call for dialogue then we are all done for.These people have another agenda which they will unfold with time. Instead the govt should involve the services of the CIA,MOSSAD or FBI. Dialoging with these criminals and their sponsors is a big slap on the collective sensibilities of the Nigerian people.
ReplyDeleteYou don't dialogue with terrorist, u flush them out violently. The truth is that the government officials know them, they are just playing high level politics. Should boko haram issue not be declared as a state of emergency? Why is the presidency afraid to face it squarely? The truth is that some pple are untouchable in this country, they are sacred cows. They are all corrupt. Who is deceiving who? Obasanjo a no nonsense man can wipe them out in a month!
ReplyDeleteAnybody expecting anything spectacular from the average Nigerian Gov. has lost his or her compass. Nollywood is not the home video actors and actresses we see but the Nigerian Gov. they have finish with Niger Delta Now its BH Tomorrow what will it be? A country that rewards criminality. as long as it is not the ruling class relatives that are killed, its of no importance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous that we should not dialogue with criminal like BH ,but do we have President that is capable of using Military Force .
ReplyDeleteGEJ , only know how to critize good idea from Obasanjo.
Sorry for saying this , GEJ is not in control of this Great Country .
He is just sitting in Aso Rock and drink tea .
President Must be able to use all reasource at his disposal to solve this type of Menace ( BH ) without fearing anybody.
Can this people try it during the days of Babangida , Abdulsalam and Obasanjo.
Please , i m not campaigning for military rule but GEJ must ready to go into war with BH.
Or may be is afraid to loose 2015 Presidential ticket from PDP .
What ever it may be , GEJ is not capable of ruling this country .
I dont have hatred for you as a person but for your administration .
Or i will say , your administration is a failure to this great country.
I m really sorry for GEJ .
This Oluwatobi or what you call yourself , i suggest that you see your doctor .
ReplyDeleteWe are loosing poor Nigeria every day ( both Muslim and Christian ) and people are thinking collectively to solve our problem and
you are calling for war btw Muslim and Christian .
Cant you see that you are sick .
I know that the Government of the day sincerely know the Sponsors and Financiers of this Boko Haram sect. Nib the source in the board and the problem is solved. You will all agree with me that without the necessary funds, this Boko Haram group will be crippled.WIL ANI, CALABAR.
ReplyDelete