A cross section of Nigerians on Friday called on the Federal Government to exercise great caution over the ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram insurgents.
The citizens made their feelings known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
While some of the respondents commended both parties for the agreement, others however advised the government to be wary of the group as its members were capable of flouting the terms of the pact any time.
Mr Okey Bernard, an Abuja based writer, commended the agreement but said that the two parties should be sincere in its implementation.
“If it is true that the dreaded group has agreed to lay down arms, it is commendable but the government should be wary of them.
“How come this ceasefire is coming weeks after the Federal Government committed about 15 million US dollars to an arms deal in South Africa?,’’ he asked.
Bernard said that while the army could be suspecting that Boko Haram may want to use the “ceasefire” to build up its arsenal, the Boko Haram will not immediately believe that the army would play fair.
“This is similar to Niger Delta Amnesty and also the truce between the Spanish Government and the Basque Separatists,” he said.
Mr Deji Ayoola, a resident of Abuja, commended the agreement, describing it as a Godly intervention.
“If it is true, then it is a big relief and I see it as God’s intervention to solve the problem of terrorism,” he said.
Another resident, Mrs Ann Ogunye, also advised the government to be wary about the agreement as Boko Haram cannot be trusted.
“The government should be a bit careful because for groups like the Boko Haram, ceasefire is usually not easy.
“A faction may come up tomorrow to reject the agreement,” she said.
Stakeholders in hail FG on ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram
Also Stakeholders in the Nigerian oil and gas industry on Friday lauded the Federal Government agreement to a ceasefire with the Boko Haram group.
In an interview with in Lagos, the stakeholders described the agreement as a welcome development.
NAN reports that the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall, Alex Badeh, has ordered all field officers involved in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents to comply with the ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire agreement will result in the release of the more than 200 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok, Borno State on April 14 by the group.
Mr Makinde Adekunle, the immediate past President, Nigerian Institution of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), said that the agreement was the best approach.
Adekunle said that the government ought to have taken the decision long ago, considering the havoc of the Boko Haram on lives, property and economy.
He said that President GoodLuck Jonathan had once again proven that he was a good leader and had the interest of the country at heart,’’ he said.
Mr Sheyi Gambo, a former National Publicity Officer of PENGASSAN, urged the government to find out the grievances of the insurgents with a view to maintaining peace.
“This is one of the best things that ever happened to us.
“Government has taken a wise decision by reaching a ceasefire agreement to end all forms of senseless and barbaric killings of innocent Nigerians,’’ he said.
An economist, Dr Titus Okurounmu, also said that the Federal Government’s decision to sign the ceasefire agreement was a welcome development.
Okurounmu said that no country could move forward with such insurgency.
According to him, bringing to public knowledge those involved in the agreement is for credit purposes and will make the present administration dispensation transparent.
Okurounmu, a former Director, Research Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, urged the government to be more specific on how soon the Chibok schoolgirls would be released, following the agreement. (NAN) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I hope some politicians are not fooling us. Why must there be a prisoners swap? A bit unclear. At least bring back our girls!
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