FG rules out compaensation for Boko Haram victims

The Chairman, Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution on Security Challenges in the North, Tanimu Turaki, has foreclosed  any form of compensation for victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in some parts of the  North.

'Government cannot pay compensation but it will support victims. It will compensate military personnel that were affected by this insurgency,' Turaki said..

The dialogue committee chairman, who spoke at the National Conference on the Role of Muslim Scholars, organised by the Jama'atul Nasril Islam  in Kaduna, Turaki,  said however that  security operatives, who lost their lives in various the incidents, would be compensated.

'Government will not have the capacity to give compensation because of the number of victims involved in the insurgency incidents,' he said.

Turak led other members of the committee  to the conference.

He used the opportunity to call on Muslim leaders to appeal to the group (Boko Haram) to embrace dialogue, adding that Islam, as a religion, encourages dialogue.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the JNI, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar lll, a key advocate of dialogue as a path to peace in Boko Haram insurgency, was present at the

'How do you compensate somebody who has lost family members? How much will you compensate him with when he is battling with the psychological effect of the incidents?' he asked.

Turaki said since the sect believed in Islam, its members should also imbibe the tenets of the religion.

He said even in countries like Afghanistan, Syria and in Nigeria during the civil war, dialogue was used as the last resort  to resolve the problems.

Turaki insisted that there was no crisis or difference that could not be settled through dialogue.

The chairman of the committee set up tby the Federal Government to explore various ways to achieving peace with the dreaded Isalmist group, said, 'So, we beg for prayers because there is no evil that prayer cannot solve.

'No matter the ideology of Boko Haram, it is twisted towards Islam. It is very unfortunate. We therefore want this conference to examine the immediate and remote causes of the growing insurgency in the region.'

'So far, we have had robust discussions with Muslim leaders, government officials, traditional rulers and clerics.

'We pray this conference will call on them to come out and embrace dialogue. If you are using the name of the Prophet, then there is room for dialogue. It is respectful to come and dialogue; we are all ready for dialogue.'

'Even wars in other countries of the world, and coming back home, the Biafra/Nigeria civil war, provided an opportunity for dialogue because it is not war that bring peace, but dialogue. So, let them give peace a chance, and let them embrace dialogue.'

The Sultan, in his speech, condemned the perception of some well-placed Nigerians that Muslims and Islam were always against the search for peace and development of the nation.

Abubakar noted: 'The main aim of our coming together today is to unite our brothers and sisters, especially the Ulamas. There will be peace, and if there is peace, there will be development and progress in our country and there will be total security in Nigeria.

'And if there is security, definitely, there will be development. What is happening in the northern part of the country is an unfortunate incident… maybe the Almighty Allah wants to correct our ways.

'I believe it is high time all of us came together and discussed those things that have been pestering our lives as Muslims in this country.'

The Sultan enjoined  all Muslims to unite under one umbrella in order to achieve their aspiration under one Nigeria.

'We are very aware just like any other people across the world of the challenges facing us as Muslims, not only in Nigeria; we believe somebody somewhere is pulling the string. We are begging Allah for constant prayers from all of you… ', he said.