CCC expresses support for FG's willingness to dialogue with genuine Boko Haram leaders

Air Commodore Yusuf Anas rtd  (Middle)

Credits: PRNigeria

The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has noted with satisfaction, the pronouncement by President Buhari that some members of Boko Haram are in negotiation with the Federal Government over the possibility of releasing the Chibok girls who were abducted in April 2014.

In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the CCC, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (retired), the CCC recalled that on August 4, 2015, "some Boko Haram elements approached the Centre for dialogue as a way of ending the seeming intractable insurgency in parts of the country.

"While expressing support for the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari that the Federal Government was willing to dialogue with genuine leaders of the terrorist group, the CCC believes the new position had become imperative in view of the fact that military option alone has failed to resolve the issue. 

"The Centre believes that there is nothing wrong in exploring and exploiting every opportunity that will lead to freeing of not only the innocent school girls but every other Nigerian under shackles of the deadly insurgents."

The CCC further said that "every window of dialogue should be open but ONLY for genuine leaders or representatives of the sect who are committed to keeping to their side of the bargain."

According to the CCC, "none of the suspected Boko Haram elements that spoke with the CCC asked for any form of monetary inducement or compensation as a pre-condition for laying down their arms.

"In fact, many of them said that they were simply tired of fighting and being fugitives in a war that they were deceived into joining." the CCC added.

It further said that some members of Boko Haram were "requesting for genuine and comprehensive dialogue that could lead to hundreds of them coming out to renounce their membership."

The Centre has therefore urged the government and the Boko Haram insurgents "to approach the said negotiation with open mind and with utmost consideration of the interest of humanity."

It also lauded Nigerians to support President Buhari on the decision, assuring that it would continue to support and encourage all efforts towards bringing insurgency to an end in the country.