Abuja — Despite reports of Nigeria's success against insurgent group Boko Haram, recent violence attributed to the group has some Nigerians worried that the militants are growing stronger. Many worry the violence will only increase as the 2015 elections draw closer, on the prospect that politicians will hire the militants to attack their opponents.
Since May, when President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of
emergency in northeastern Nigeria and sent thousands of troops to fight
Boko Haram, the government has consistently reported victories on both
the battlefield and in conducting negotiations.
Kabiru Turaki heads the government committee charged with holding peace talks.
"We've had dialogue with those that are in detention, most of whom are critical members of the leadership of this group. And then we've also had dialogue with those that are outside," said Turaki.
Meanwhile, army spokesperson Brigadier-General Ibrahim Attahiru says troops continue to attack the militant group.
"Troops of the formation have conducted operations to preempt, dislocate and distract the insurgent activities in the northeast," said Attahiru.
But last Thursday, the day after Attahiru made this announcement, more than 100 people were reported killed in Borno State, the birthplace of the insurgency. The following day, authorities reported a gunfight with Boko Haram members in the capital, Abuja, and said nine militants were killed.
Lack of clarity
Neighbors later told reporters it wasn't Boko Haram members who were killed in the Abuja fight, but unarmed squatters.
Yusuf Yakubu Arrigasiyyu heads the Muslim League for Accountability. He says this lack of clarity is feeding the insurgency.
"This is serious for Nigeria. That is how Boko Haram started in Maiduguri. People were accused without any legal battle. People were accused without any action from the government," said Arrigasiyyu.
The result, he says, is accused persons - whether they are involved or not -- grow more sympathetic with Boko Haram, a group that has been blamed for thousands of deaths in the past four years in attacks on churches, schools, media houses, markets and government and international interests. always drop ur comment after reading
Kabiru Turaki heads the government committee charged with holding peace talks.
"We've had dialogue with those that are in detention, most of whom are critical members of the leadership of this group. And then we've also had dialogue with those that are outside," said Turaki.
Meanwhile, army spokesperson Brigadier-General Ibrahim Attahiru says troops continue to attack the militant group.
"Troops of the formation have conducted operations to preempt, dislocate and distract the insurgent activities in the northeast," said Attahiru.
But last Thursday, the day after Attahiru made this announcement, more than 100 people were reported killed in Borno State, the birthplace of the insurgency. The following day, authorities reported a gunfight with Boko Haram members in the capital, Abuja, and said nine militants were killed.
Lack of clarity
Neighbors later told reporters it wasn't Boko Haram members who were killed in the Abuja fight, but unarmed squatters.
Yusuf Yakubu Arrigasiyyu heads the Muslim League for Accountability. He says this lack of clarity is feeding the insurgency.
"This is serious for Nigeria. That is how Boko Haram started in Maiduguri. People were accused without any legal battle. People were accused without any action from the government," said Arrigasiyyu.
The result, he says, is accused persons - whether they are involved or not -- grow more sympathetic with Boko Haram, a group that has been blamed for thousands of deaths in the past four years in attacks on churches, schools, media houses, markets and government and international interests. always drop ur comment after reading
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