A legal luminary, Prof. Itse Sagay; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mallam Yusuf Ali; and Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch, Mr. Rafiu Balogun, have said the recent talks between the Federal Government and the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, is a good development.
In their separates responses on Sunday, the trio stated that the step, if pursued with genuine intention and commitment, could address the prevailing insecurity in the northern parts of the country.
It was reported on Sunday that the Federal Government’s team, led by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe and Boko Haram, represented by some of its senior commanders, had a secret meeting in Senegal few weeks ago.
It was also reported that the governments of Mali and Senegal played prominent roles in the negotiations as officials of the two countries served as mediators during the dialogue.
In his reaction, Sagay said the dialogue was worth exploring if the fundamentalists sect genuinely wanted peace. “If Boko Haram genuinely wants peace, that option is worth exploring. But I do not have details on the talks.”
On his part, Ali said the initiative, with genuine commitment to peace by both parties, would save the country from incessant bomb blasts, suicide bombings and other forms of insecurity and terrorism.
He said, “I was one of the earliest callers for dialogue between the group and our government. So, I totally support any peaceful initiative that will bring peace to our land. It is a welcome development. If it is a genuine effort from all concerned, it will surely bring peace to our beleaguered nation!”
While Balogun said the Federal Government had taken a right step by holding peace talks with the sect, considering the level of insecurity in the country attributed to the sect.
It was also reported that the governments of Mali and Senegal played prominent roles in the negotiations as officials of the two countries served as mediators during the dialogue.
In his reaction, Sagay said the dialogue was worth exploring if the fundamentalists sect genuinely wanted peace. “If Boko Haram genuinely wants peace, that option is worth exploring. But I do not have details on the talks.”
On his part, Ali said the initiative, with genuine commitment to peace by both parties, would save the country from incessant bomb blasts, suicide bombings and other forms of insecurity and terrorism.
He said, “I was one of the earliest callers for dialogue between the group and our government. So, I totally support any peaceful initiative that will bring peace to our land. It is a welcome development. If it is a genuine effort from all concerned, it will surely bring peace to our beleaguered nation!”
While Balogun said the Federal Government had taken a right step by holding peace talks with the sect, considering the level of insecurity in the country attributed to the sect.
