MORE violence may rock parts
of the North, with Boko Haram
splinter group vowing at the
weekend to go after those
perpetrating a bloody campaign,
despite the ceasefire declared by
the group.
In a rare news conference in
Maiduguri, addressed by four
members of Boko Haram, led by
Sheikh Abdulaziz Ibn Adam, the
group said its ceasefire
announced last month was still
in force.
Unlike previous occasions when
the group spoke by
teleconferencing with reporters
in the capital of Borno State,
which, together with
neighbouring Yobe State, is the
epicentre of Boko Haram’s
activities, the group’s members,
who were photographed wearing
hoods and socks, speaking
physically with reporters.
They are in a room with grey
tiles and a small rug at the
centre. They are seated on black
leather seats, wearing black
hand gloves and turbans on
their necks.
The News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) posted a photograph of
the Boko Haram members at the
news conference. In the
photograph are four men,
whose faces are hidden behind
red and black hoods. Three of
them are dressed in white long
sleeves shirts. One wears a pair
of blue jeans.
Ibn Adam, who claimed that the
leader of the group, Sheik
Abubakar Shekau, authorised
the January 28 ceasefire
declaration, insisted that it must
be obeyed by all members.
He said his group was ready to
dialogue with the government to
end the bloody campaign, which
is believed to have claimed
thousands of lives since 2009.
He said the group had come to
realise that it could not achieve
its aim through violence.
“You will recall that we
announced a ceasefire last
month as a precondition for
talks with government.
“But, sadly, after a few days of
respite, violence began again in
the country,” he said.
Ibn Adam said the group was
not responsible for the renewed
violence in some parts of Borno.
“Those currently engaged in this
violence are not our people
because our people are obedient
to their leaders.
“Since the leadership has asked
them to cease fire, they won’t
continue with violence,” he said.
The committee on Reconciliation,
Healing and Security set up by
the Northern States Governors
Forum (NSGF) has expressed
hope about the end of the
insurgency.
The chairman of the team, Air
Vice Marshal Muktar
Mohammed, said the committee
had very fruitful discussions on
the way out of the crisis, during
its meetings with stakeholders.
“We met with all the
stakeholders, like religious
leaders, security, journalists,
traditional rulers, youth, labour
etc and our discussions were
very fruitful. We expect light at
the end of the tunnel”, Mukhtar
said.
The group met with Yobe State
Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, who
was represented by the Secretary
to the State Government,
Babagoni Machina.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/boko-haram-faction-vows-to-fight-ceasefire-breakers/