The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Resolution of Security Crisis in the North, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has explained why the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, agreed to cease fire.
On Monday, it was reported that the insurgents have signed an agreement with the committee to stop further attacks. Fielding questions from State House correspondents on Wednesday, the chairman, who is also the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Turaki, said members of the group are convinced that government is sincere this time around and not just playing pranks on them.
He expressed delight that at least there is the hope that the cease fire will be an everlasting one going by the sincerity of the committee as well as on the part of the leadership of Boko Haram.
The committee chairman said the new development was as a result of “series of painstaking discussions we have been having with the leadership of Boko Haram.
“And like most of you must have heard, the directive for cease fire that was given on tape.
“Basically they took into account, one: the sincerity of the committee, which by necessary implication also the sincerity of the President regarding resolving the issue of insecurity in the North.
“Number two, also unlike their thinking that the committee was meant to serve as a trap for them, they also realized that not only is the committee very sincere, government and indeed Mr. President is also very sincere about the whole discusses.
“They also took into account the fasting of the month of Ramadan, which is on, and felt that they should give peace a chance so that our Muslim sisters and brothers will be able to perform their religious obligation this month without any harassment, without any fear of any bomb exploding and any firing at them while they are in their place of worship.”
Asked to give details about the framework for agreement, he said details were still being worked out, adding that the formal signing will be made public through the media that will be allowed to cover it.
His words: “We are still working on the framework, where we will sign an agreement and we will make that public where ever and whenever we agree on the time and place and the international and local media, all Nigerians will be privy to it.
“It it is something that will be done openly and transparently for everybody to know that indeed that not only have we been speaking with the proper people but that there has been a lot of good faith on both sides of the divide.”
Responding to a question on whether a video recording of the signing will not surface on the social media any moment, the Minister said: “When a minister of the Federal Government speaks on behalf of government, you wouldn’t say that you must see the President or the Vice President there.
“We have spoken with somebody who is second in command as far as Boko Haram is concerned and he has informed the media that he has been discussing with us with full knowledge and authority of Imam Abubakar Shekau and so we have no cause to doubt him.
“We have done checks on him, just as they have done checks on us also and we have realized that yes we are dealing with the proper people and with the proper leadership of the organisation.
He also said the committee was still working on the broader terms of the agreement, adding: “We are working on it, especially now that there has been ceasefire, directed by the Boko Haram and then we are discussing with the broader framework and as soon as we are done with that Nigerians will be communicated.”
On how long the ceasefire may last, Turaki said: “Of course it is not something that is done for a specific period of time. It is something that should be forever. As far as we are concerned, it is something that has been agreed and I don’t think there will be any basis for anybody rescinding on the agreement.”
The chairman also said that the development that will unfold henceforth will determine wether the emergency rule will be relaxed in the three states because of the cease fire.
He spoke further: “I think even with the declaration and announcement of ceasefire, I think the issue of the state of emergency will have to stay but in such a way and manner in which security agencies are fully satisfied that normalcy has been restored and that there is order and peace.
“Let us not forget the fact that with or without ceasefire, it is the serious and great responsibility of government to ensure that the lives and properties of law abiding Nigerians are protected wherever they are and in whatever circumstances.
“So I think it is the situation that will begin to unfold themselves henceforth that will determine whether the security agencies on ground will relax the period of the curfew and then ultimately they will advise the appropriate authorities whether the need has arisen for the state of emergency to be removed but I think that is not for the committee.”
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