FG gives conditions for negotiating with Boko Haram

The Federal Government on Saturday gave conditions for negotiating with Boko Haram.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in an interview with journalists, said if negotiation becomes an option, the government would be doing so from a position of strength.

He said the machinery put in place, which will be set in motion soon, was capable of stopping the insurgency.


While describing the machinery as multinational in nature, the presidential spokesman said relief was on the way for Nigeria and its neighbours.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had battled and won insurgency before and the President was poised to win again, saying that was the promise he made to Nigerians.

Adesina said, “Most wars, however furious or vicious, often end around the negotiation table. Thus, if Boko Haram opts for negotiation, the government will not be averse to it.

“Government will, however, not be negotiating from a position of weakness, but that of strength.

“The machinery put in place, and which will be set in motion soon, can only devastate and decapitate insurgency. It is multinational in nature, and relief is on the way for Nigeria and her neighbours.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is resolute. He has battled and won insurgency before, he is poised to win again.

“It is a promise he made to Nigerians, and he is a promise keeper.

“But I say again, if the insurgents want to negotiate, no decent government will be averse to such. Didn’t the Talibans and Americans also negotiate in Afghanistan?”

Adesina had told British Broadcasting Corporation that the government was open to negotiations with Boko Haram in order to find a lasting solution to the security crisis in the country, if the group is willing.