Senate President David Mark yesterday asked the Federal Government to re-start talks with the Boko Haram sect to end its campaign of violence that has killed more than 200 people in the past year alone.
"(These) misguided groups are our brothers and sisters, government must therefore explore all avenues to discuss with them," Mark said, apparently referring to the sect which calls itself Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad. Boko Haram says its aim is to broaden the implementation of Sharia in the North, and had targeted largely the security agencies until in the past months when it began hitting churches, primary schools, universities and newspaper houses.
"On the other hand, those who are aggrieved must find a better way to express their grievances. It is in the national interest that there is peace and security particularly if we want the transformation agenda to succeed," Mark said at the resumption of the Senate from a week's recess.
Also yesterday, a senior Katsina traditional title holder urged the government to dialogue with Boko Haram.
Alhaji Sani Lugga, the Wazirin Katsina, in a statement, said "dialogue is the best remedy" for the sect's violent campaign.
"Whatever are the claims of 'Boko Haram', dialogue could bring about a solution. Continued use of force may only worsen the situation leading to more losses of lives and properties," Lugga said.
He said the sect's claim of avenging the killing of its founder Mohammed Yusuf was similar to the Niger Delta crisis that heightened after the execution of Ken Saro Wiwa in 1995.
"The hangings (of Wiwa and co) were termed as 'judicial murders'. That triggered the metamorphosis of MOSOP into MEND," he said.
Boko Haram "came into limelight as a result of the arrest and 'extra-judicial murder' of its head, Mallam Mohammed Yusuf, along with other leaders of the group while in the custody of the Borno State Police Command on 30th July, 2009.
"MEND and BH sprang up in identical fashions and their activities escalated after the 'murder' of their leaders and the arrest of their members....While MEND tilts towards the fight against economic injustice, BH tilts towards the fight against social and religious injustice.... MEND introduced the use of sophisticated weapons and bombs in its operations and BH followed suit."
He added: "Today in Nigeria, bombs are used by armed robbers to blow-up bank vaults. Bombs are used by kidnappers. Both Muslims and Christians have been arrested and are in the custody of the security agencies for using or attempting to use bombs.... So, the crisis transcends Boko Haram as it is multifarious in nature that deserves decisive action by the authorities."
Lugga said government should consider recommendations of the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu panel that poverty alleviation measures, justice and fairness and eradication of corruption should be the guiding principles of governance.
"Government should listen to the 'Boko Haram' and broker peace with them. This type of dialogue has been tested in other countries and has been tested and implemented in Nigeria by the last administration.
"The rest of Nigerians should continue to pray for peace. But peace, stability and progress can only be achieved through working towards their achievement and not by merely praying," he added.
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Daily Trust