President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said
that the Federal government has not started any form of negotiations or
dialogue with the fundamentalist group, Boko Haram.
The president, who disclose this during a two-hour media chat broadcasted live by Channels Television, said there was no way that the government could discuss with a group that is still in hiding.
“Boko Haram is still operating under cover, they wear masks, there is no face,” President Jonathan said.
The position of the president contradicts the earlier comments credited to one of his aide who was quoted as saying that the Federal government had commenced dialogue with the sect.
The aide reportedly said: “I can confirm to you that talks are ongoing at the background. But the talks are not the kinds being envisaged by Nigerians.
“I know that some Nigerians are expecting that a venue should be chosen and a banner will be placed there indicating that the Federal Government is holding dialogue with the group there.
“That is not the kind of talks we are talking about here. The ongoing talk is a back channel one in which those who know members of the group are talking with them on behalf of the government.”
Boko Haram which has been prosecuting a bombing campaign against the Nigerian state recently gave conditions for ceasefire and talks with the government.
The sect, among others asked for compensation for its killed members; that its demolished mosque be rebuilt; that its members in custody be released; and that the dialogue venue should be in Saudi Arabia.
The group spoke through Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who claimed to be the second-in-command to its leader, Abubakar Shekau.
Mr Abdulaziz named a former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari; Shettima Monguno; a former Yobe State Governor, Bukar Ibrahim; Ambassador Gaji Galtimari; and Aisha Alkali Wakil, and her husband, Alkali as “trusted” Nigerians it would be ready to negotiate with.
General Buhari however rejected his nomination.
The president, who disclose this during a two-hour media chat broadcasted live by Channels Television, said there was no way that the government could discuss with a group that is still in hiding.
“Boko Haram is still operating under cover, they wear masks, there is no face,” President Jonathan said.
The position of the president contradicts the earlier comments credited to one of his aide who was quoted as saying that the Federal government had commenced dialogue with the sect.
The aide reportedly said: “I can confirm to you that talks are ongoing at the background. But the talks are not the kinds being envisaged by Nigerians.
“I know that some Nigerians are expecting that a venue should be chosen and a banner will be placed there indicating that the Federal Government is holding dialogue with the group there.
“That is not the kind of talks we are talking about here. The ongoing talk is a back channel one in which those who know members of the group are talking with them on behalf of the government.”
Boko Haram which has been prosecuting a bombing campaign against the Nigerian state recently gave conditions for ceasefire and talks with the government.
The sect, among others asked for compensation for its killed members; that its demolished mosque be rebuilt; that its members in custody be released; and that the dialogue venue should be in Saudi Arabia.
The group spoke through Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulaziz, who claimed to be the second-in-command to its leader, Abubakar Shekau.
Mr Abdulaziz named a former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari; Shettima Monguno; a former Yobe State Governor, Bukar Ibrahim; Ambassador Gaji Galtimari; and Aisha Alkali Wakil, and her husband, Alkali as “trusted” Nigerians it would be ready to negotiate with.
General Buhari however rejected his nomination.
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