The Boko Haram Islamic sect – also known as Jama’atul Ahalis Sunna Lida’awati Wal Jihad – on Monday, January 28, 2013 again said it had agreed to a ceasefire with the Nigerian Federal Government in order to pave the way for dialogue.
The announcement was made by two people claiming to represent the major faction led by Sheikh Abubakar Shekau. The representatives met with journalists in Maiduguri, capital of the north eastern state of Borno. One of them introduced himself as Sheikh Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez Ibn Idris, saying he was the second-in-command of the group and commander of North and Central Borno Sector. Thisday newspaper said it was the second time in recent months that the group was calling for an end to hostilities, but the first time anyone associated with Boko Haram was coming out publicly to claim affinity with the dreaded group.
Sheikh Abu said the decision was reached after meetings with Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima. Justifying the offer, Boko Haram cited the need to spare women and children from further calamities engendered by its activities, The Guardian newspaper said. But the ceasefire offer came with some conditions - freedom for arrested sect members and the rebuilding of the destroyed mosque of its founding leader, Mohammed Yusuf. Sheikh Abu said the ceasefire declaration was made with the approval of their leader, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau. He therefore called on Boko Haram members to stop all acts of violence and await further directives. The militant leader explained that the ceasefire came into effect immediately and was applicable to the whole country.
He denied the group’s involvement in recent attacks and killings in Borno State and other parts of northern Nigeria, attributing them to armed robbers and other criminals operating under the guise of Boko Haram. Sheikh Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez Ibn Idris urged the Joint Military Task Force and other security agents to respond positively to the offer. He announced that talks with government on surrendering weapons had already commenced, urging his members to cooperate fully by surrendering their weapons to security agents. The Borno State Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Isa Umar Gusau, confirmed the ceasefire announcement.
