Atiku Urges Boko Haram To Dialogue With FG

ABUJA, February 27, (THEWILL) - Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged members of the Boko Haram sect to accept federal government's offer of dialogue in the interest of unity, stability and economic development of the country.

The call from the former vice-president followed renewed attacks in Jos and Gombe, leading to the death of scores of innocent citizens.

Atiku, who spoke on Monday in a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja, said that no one will take the group or its agenda seriously should it continue to remain faceless. He said it was high time the leaders of the group revealed thier identity to articulate its grievances and open a window for dialogue.

He reiterated his earlier position that there can be no justification for the killings and destruction of properties, which he said amounted to declaration of war on the Nigerian State.

“If Boko Haram and its leadership have something to say; if they have any grouse against the Nigerian state, the proper thing for them is to come out in flesh and state it, so that a process of dialogue that will eventually lead to the resolution of the crisis and the siege on Nigerians can commence in earnest,” Atiku advised.