Boko Haram: Committee Asks Government to Negotiate

The Usman Galtimari Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan to study the problem and advise the government on the problem of insecurity in the North East has advised the Federal Government to negotiate with fundamentalist group, Boko Haram as a way of putting an end to attacks by the sect.

But the Commitee said such negotiation such only take place after the group has renounced violence and surrender its arms.

This was part of the final report of the Committee submitted to Federal Government on Monday. The fundamentalist sect has claimed responsibility for bomb attacks in especially in the North East part of the country.

The militant sect also claimed responsibility for the August 26 attack on UN headquarters in Abuja that killed at least 23 people as well as the suicide attack on the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.

“The federal government should fundamentally consider the option of dialogue and negotiation, which should be contingent upon the renunciation of all forms of violence and surrender of arms,” Galtimari said of the recommendations contained in the report.

The Committee therefore recommended that a new committee with greater powers be constituted to negotiate with the Boko Haram sect.

He also said the committee recommended the setting up of a rehabilitation programme for members of the sect.

Vice President Namadi Sambo received the report. He pledged that government will study the report and take the necessary action. “Government will look at the report and act as a matter of urgency in implementing this report,” he said.

By Ayo Oluokun/Abuja