Dialogue with Federal Government is Over – Boko Haram

Due to what it had allegedly termed insincerity of purpose by the Federal Government towards the current peace negotiation between the Boko Haram Sect members and the Federal Government, to bring to a halt the persistent violence and killings in different parts of the North as championed by the President of National Supreme Council on Sharia, Dr Datti Ahmed, the sect’s spokesperson, Abu Qaqa, affirmed yesterday that the peace talk was over and his group will continue with their attacks while ensuring that Sharia law was established across the entire country. This is development is coming as a result of a fresh clash between the members of the JTF and Boko Haram early yesterday when over four people were killed in the Sharada area of Kano metropolis. Eye witness said the sect members rode to the Freedom Radio junction where they engaged in a gun battle with the JTF members. Speaking to newsmen in Maiduguri via telephone conferencing, Qaqa described the failed dialogue as unfortunate, stating that the government was not sincere in its negotiation. He affirmed that the group agreed in th first place to engage in a dialogue with the government due to some notable and respectful individuals, but in the midst of the peace talk, the government was beginning to play on their intelligence. He said: “This is an important message on the issue that occupied the media in respect of negotiations between our group and the government. Not long ago, President Goodluck Jonathan made a public statement urging us to come forward for dialogue. He also said we should make our demands clear with a view to resolving the protracted problem in the country.’’ According to him, the first condition given to the federal government on the unconditional release of all detained sect members has not be met. He also said that it was during one of its meetings with the Federal Government that one of its spokeperson, Abu Dardaa, was arrested in Kaduna, stating that such development was capable of killing their trust in government. According to him, the acceptance of the group to dialogue with the government was due to appeals from some respected northern leaders. “These people said they would intercede between us and the government, they said they have the capacity and we trusted them, unfortunately however, the opportunity was messed up. ‘’Almighty God has told us repeatedly that the unbelievers will never respect the promises they make. As such, henceforth, we would never respect any proposal for dialogue”. Qaqa opined . He further stated thus, “In fact, we have closed all possible doors for negotiation. We would never listen to any call for negotiations. Let the government forces do whatever they feel they can do and we too would use all the wherewithal at our disposal and do what we can.” He also boasted that the almighty God will give them the power to capture and kill government forces who think that killing and arresting their members is the solution. He said: “We are optimistic that we would dismantle this government and establish Islamic government in Nigeria. Let the Federal Government and its agents do what they can; and we, in return, would also do what we can. The noble Prophet Mohammed was also tried and tested during the war of Uhud, he persevered and at the end of the day, he emerged victorious. ”The fact is that, we do not have an element of doubt in our minds that one day, we would surely emerge victorious from this onerous encounter,” Qaqa noted. Qaqa urged all Muslims to team up against those he had termed unbelievers. “We want all our people to come together and restore our lost glory.”