The Federal Government, Friday, reiterated its position that members of
the outlawed Boko Haram have accepted to dialogue with the
government.
The Minister of Special Duties and Chairman of the Presidential
Committee on Dialogue and Resolution of Security Challenges in the
North, Tanimu Turaki, stated this while briefing journalists at the
Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
Mr. Turaki quoted the group as saying that “it becomes incumbent
upon every Muslim to accept that dialogue option”.
The minister, who was flanked by members of the committee, played a
video clip of a meeting of the supposed leadership of the sect who
spoke in Arabic language after which Mr. Turaki translated. The video,
in Arabic, was played to reporters and translated by Mr. Turaki’s
committee. PREMIUM TIMES is not in possession of the video and is
unable to confirm its content.
The translation read by Mr. Turaki, however, shows that the Boko
Haram ‘leaders’ in the video are already in prison.
“More surprised the committee met us in prison custody and explained
to us reason for their visit and also asked four fundamental questions,”
one of the leaders was translated by Mr. Turaki as saying in the video.
“Thirdly, which assistance those of us in detention would give in
realisation of that,” the speaker said confirming that those of them in
the video were already in government’s detention facilities.
It is not clear how much influence members of the sect in detention
have on those perpetrating criminal acts outside, although Mr. Turaki’s
committee apparently believes they do.
Mr. Turaki said the Boko Haram ‘leaders’ accepted to dialogue after
“strenuous efforts of the committee,” and in line with the teaching of
Prophet Mohammed.
“What you have just watched is a video clip of some of the members of
the Jamatul Alhus Sunnah Jehad, we have sat down in Shura and
Shura is the highest decision making council,” Mr. Turaki said after
playing the video clip.
“They sat down in Shura and the have analyzed from purely Islamic
perspective taking into account the clear and unambiguous position of
the Holy Koran and taken into account the teachings and
fundamentally, the practices of the Holy Prophet Mohammed on the
issue of dialogue and peaceful reconciliation. Strengthening their
position again with the work of other great Islamic scholars globally
who have had cause to also make research and come up with a lot of
literature supporting the course of dialogue,” he said.
He said the Boko Haram members believed that they were living by the
teachings of the prophet as enshrined in the provisions of the Quran.
“Now, the Qur’an specifically says that sulh (dialogue, negotiation or
settlement), has a lot values, and in fact Muslims are encouraged to
enter into dialogue. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him),
who practicalised the provisions of the Qur’an and the teachings of
Islam, has also entered into agreement or treaty of Hudaibiyyah, where
even the terms that were proposed and agreed upon at that time were
clearly against the interest of Muslims, but the prophet (peace be upon
him) accepted and at the end of the day it paved way for everlasting
peace even till today within the Arabian Peninsula.”
” So there is peace not only in the Middle East including even the Far
East. What we are saying is that we are convinced that all the efforts
we are making we will now be able to arrive at the middle course. Of
course, dialogue does not mean that there would be absence of
differences,” he said.
He added that the group also claimed that as far as dialogue is
concerned, “Muslims who operate strictly in accordance with the
teachings of Prophet Mohammed have no option but to accept. They
have also called on others that are in the field to accept the option in
the spirit of peaceful co- existence and give peace a chance”.
Mr. Turaki said his committee was also “discussing with other very
respected and key leaders who are in the field and discussions are
getting to advanced stage.”
“As soon as we get to the point where we have gotten with these
people, we shall inform you and the world that the dialogue option as
envisaged by the President is not only working but that it has glaringly
establish the wisdom of Mr. President towards resolving the security
challenges ones and for all.
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