Former military head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has called on Nigerians, irrespective of religion, to pray for a change of mind by the members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram to embrace dialogue, even as he called on the sect to lay down their arms for the sake of peace in the country.
“In the name of their conscience, in the name Allah which they claim they profess, they should lay down their arms and embrace dialogue to end the circle of violence in the country.
“Violence do not solve problem; you must come to the table, without doing that your grievances is meaningless.
“To those people who on their own decided to take violence as a means of achieving whatever their aims are, I implore Nigerians to pray for them so that they have a change of heart, come to the table, discuss peace and discuss their grievances”.
He explained that although the task given to the committee is tedious, the international community is watching with keen interest to see the outcome of their assignment.
While urging the committee to ensure the members of the Boko Haram are reached for the purpose of dialogue, he however cautioned the committee against the victimization of sect members that may turn themselves in for dialogue
He challenged members of the Committee to be result oriented in their assignment by returning peace to the north as “the eyes of the whole world are on you to deliver”.
Gen. Abubakar who expressed disgust at the carnage going on in the North explained that the senseless killing has left so many families venerable and urged Nigerians to join the committee members to pray for the Boko Haram members to have a change of heart.
According to the former military head of state that nurtured the current democratic dispensation, it saddened him that despite repeated calls, Boko Haram has refused to hearken to the voice of reason and lay down their arms.
Earlier, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, who is also the Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Taninu Turaki promised to deploy his wealth of experience and contacts in assisting the committee towards persuading the leaders of Boko Haram to come out and dialogue with the committee.
Responding to governor Aliyu, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki rated the Niger State government high in the area of security, especially the way the government was able to contain the insurgence in Suleja and Madalla, which has led to the restoration of the people’s confidence in the government.
