country on high alert ahead of Eid celebrations marking the end of the
Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, with warnings that fresh attacks
could occur.
It was issued in response to a news report this week claiming that a
purported spokesman for Islamist extremist group Boko Haram said
direct talks were underway with the government.
The statement from the Boko Haram "spokesman" was given to a reporter
in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the report said, which is not the usual way
the group communicates with journalists.
"The federal government welcomes any initiative that will usher in
peace, security and tranquillity in the country, especially in the
light of the security challenges that we have faced in the last two
years," the government statement said.
"In this context, we welcome the statement by (Boko Haram)
acknowledging that they have been in contact with the federal
government through its representatives and have started negotiations
with the objective of reaching a final solution to this crisis."
Maku was asked about the reported dialogue earlier in the week and
said he could not confirm it.
A previous attempt at dialogue earlier this year broke down when a
mediator quit over leaks to the media and a spokesman for what is
believed to be the main faction of Boko Haram said the government
could not be trusted.
The main faction of the group has accused the government of using
propaganda to discredit it and has repeatedly ruled out further
dialogue.
Nigeria's recently appointed National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, a
prominent figure in the country's mainly Muslim north, has spoken of
dialogue through local institutions, including religious leaders.
Boko Haram has been blamed for more than 1,400 deaths since 2010 in
the northern and central regions of Africa's most populous nation.
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