Salkida was said to be close to the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, as well as many top shots of the group.
He had since fled to the United Arab Emirates on account of an alleged threat to his life over what he described as his “professional closeness” to the insurgents.
“My first-rate exclusive reports on the insurgency in northern Nigeria served by the Boko Haram militant group unsettled a section of the local authorities. This consequently led to threats to my life. I now live with my family and work part-time in the United Arab Emirates,” a post on his LinkedIn page read.
But, writing on Twitter, Salkida stated that despite being “gagged for doing his work dutifully and lawfully,” he is still willing to make use of his “rare” working relationship with members of the sect to restore peace to northern Nigeria.
According to him, terrorism as seen today in the country is a tactic used by “a few extremists” against an overwhelmingly peaceful population.
“There is nothing wrong in having professional access to insurgents as long as it is used to save lives and promote peaceful co-existence. I will forever be readily available to use my rare professional access and knowledge to end this madness and senseless violence in Nigeria.
“Speculations should not becloud the fact that there are many well-meaning patriots, including myself, that are working quietly day and night for peace. Nigeria is our country. We have no other country to call our own. So let’s get it right. I love Nigeria, I cherish its unity. I will do anything legitimately to make it better than it is, if I can,” he wrote on his Twitter feed.
The 40-year-old who grew up in Maiduguri, Borno State added that the most effective way the Federal Government can fight terrorism was to “study those behind it and review what strategy works and what doesn’t work.”
He also urged Nigerians to unite against the Boko Haram insurgency by not seeing it as a menace ravaging the northern Nigeria but a threat to the entire country.
Calling on Nigerians to render “unconditional support” to the military, he counselled the armed forces to endeavour to be “more accountable” in the ongoing war against the insurgents.
Salkida frowned on summary killing of Boko Haram detainees, saying the development amounted to extrajudicial executions opposed by international laws.
“Is there a good understanding of the structure, composition and lifeline of the Boko Haram by our leaders? Has there been a counter-terrorism strategy in Nigeria that has worked in the last three years beyond summary execution and detention without trial?
“Will the Boko Haram crisis end? It may never be totally eliminated, but a cohesive community that trusts its authorities can curb it. The day we begin to see this war as a threat to Nigeria and not a threat to the Beroms, Christians or Muslims, that is the beginning of our victory,” he added.
Confronting terrorism, he argued, would be futile if the Federal Government does not move to confront “lesser evils” which he reeled out as corruption, electoral fraud and bad governance.
The journalist, who has won grants from organisations such as the Committee to Protect Journalist and Reporters without Borders, carpeted President Goodluck Jonathan for blaming the opposition for terrorism.
“I’m frustrated each time my dear President blames the opposition and the opposition blames him. You all need to sit down in the interest of Nigeria and learn. How can this crisis stop when security and political leaders, with the onus of responsibility for public safety, politicise insurgency?
“This is a case of corrosive doctrine that is poorly managed by the authorities. If effective measures are not taken today, at the end of GEJ’s administration – whether it is General Muhammodu Buhari, (Babatunde) Fashola or Atiku (Abubakar) that is taking over – the crisis will intensify. It’s not who is in power.The central theme of the Boko Haram insurgency is to undermine the institution of democracy and those that support it,” he added in a series of tweets. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Talk is cheap, May GOD help us as we strive for the best
ReplyDeleteAt least he has made sense why plaing politics with human lives? Where did we get it wrong and how do we salvage the situation? Are our strategies working? If no can we change strategies? This insurgency is affecting the whole nation not just a section, virtually all tribes or ethnic groups have been victims. Is it not true that American leaders put the interest of their country first despite their political affiliations? Why are we different? If our leaders are truly patriotic why destroy the country u govern or will like to govern? We shld use and explore all avenues that will and can bring the end off this madness. God bless Nigeria.
ReplyDeletefederal govt and the army are not ready to put an end to it, because of what they are benefiting from it. my brother stay with your families there and concentrate on your part time job you are doing. may ALLAH safeguard all of us. Amin.
ReplyDeletegreat talk and i am confident that this fellow understand the aim of the boko harams. a meaningful govt wil key in this truth and develop something that will bring end to this madness.
ReplyDeleteThanks alot salkida.
though the man spoke well in his last paragrab. ''THE CENTRAL THEME OF THE INSURGENCY IS TO UNDERMIND THE INSTITUTION OF DEMOCRACY AND THOSE THAT SUPPORT IT'' their aims is to introduce their own type of government in Nigeria.somalia will be better off than what Nigeria will look like.
ReplyDeleted guy is plain. I feel govt should make use of him as much they can. they should invite him for a closer talk and see how his suggestions work out.
ReplyDeleteYou will be the true Nigeria Hero.
ReplyDeleteThere is more to this BH and our political leaders that is yet to be unravelled. How com the've not thought it necessary to work with this guy all these while? He sure seems to make a lot of sense. GEJ please act fast, innocent souls are perishing on daily basis in the hands of BH
ReplyDelete