Naija News

The purported talks between the Federal Government and the Leadership
of Boko Haram may be fake or dubious, Shehu Sanni, foremost Northern
Right Activist has said.

Sanni, who has been in close contact with the leadership of the
Islamist Militant group said any talks with the Islamist group not
coming from the Mallam Shekarau, the leader of Boko Haram should not
be considered serious or real.

He urged the Government to stop raising false hope as no credible
evidence on ground suggests any contact with the Boko Haram
leadership.
A man purported to be a spokesman for Boko Haram had said the group is
engaged in direct talks with the Federal Government on ending violence
in the country's North.

The Voice of America (VOA) said it obtained a statement in Mecca,
Saudi Arabia, from one Habu Mohammed, who claims to be a deputy to the
sect's leader, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, which said the militant group
decided to initiate the peace moves in response to numerous public
appeals for peace in the country.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku in a statement at the weekend
while confirming talks between the Federal Government and the
leadership of Bokor Haram said the government would look into the
grievances of Boko Haram.

"I am not aware of any talks going on. No credible talks are going on.
If there is going to be any genuine talks, there should be
confirmation from the leadership of the group and not the government.
The only channel of communication by the group is through YouTube
posting by the leader, Mallam Shekarau. And as far as I am concerned,
I do not think or believe that there is any dialogue going on because
it has not come from the usual source," Sanni said

Sanni stated that "The talks between the Federal Government and Boko
Haram is not impossible, but it must be done honestly and sincerely
and through channels that are credible. From my own understanding, the
Federal Government must have been drawn into dubious talks or it is
more of 'arranged' talks.

"I am of the belief that this arrangee talks will only undermine the
search for peace. And then I will add that this senseless killings and
bombing going on in the North should be ended by honest and sincere
commitment and not by seizing, misinforming and misdirecting the
conscience of Nigerians.

"A genuine talk can only be recognised by a cease-fire and cessation
of all hostilities and that can only be believed if it comes from the
leader of the group. So, what we should understand is that Nigerians
are tired of this violence, and many innocent lives have been lost;
and the solution to it must not be through bogus peace talks or
concocted dialogue."