FG willing to talk with Boko Haram sect-Maku

Labaran Maku
Minister of Information

FG willing to talk with Boko Haram sect-Maku
By Hajia Sani, Abuja

The Nigerian Government has said it was ready to negotiate with the Boko Haram sect.

The position of the government followed the pronouncement via a news broadcast by the leadership of the sect that it was prepared for talks with the Federal Government.

A man, who claimed to be the deputy leader of Boko Haram, had on Tuesday told the Voice of America that the dreaded sect was prepared for talks with the Federal Government.

In a statement in response to the sect's overture, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said the Federal Government "welcomes any initiative that will usher in peace, security and tranquility in the country, especially in the light of the security challenges that we have faced in the last two years."

The statement expressed the willingness of the government to listen to the grievances of the sect, adding: "It is our hope that this process will lead to restoration of peace, security and tranquility to Northern Nigeria."

It also took special notice of the sect's disclosure that there were individuals and groups in the society who have been using the group's name to attack and kill innocent Nigerians for their own selfish ends. Maku concluded.