Don’t negotiate with Boko Haram – Islamic Council warns Sultan of Sokoto

The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has warned the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, against holding talks with the outlawed Islamic sect, Boko Haram without an express approval from the Presidency.
The council asked the traditional ruler to be careful not to delve into any kind of dialogue with the sect until he receives an official approval from President Jonathan as he may regret such action later.
Their reason is founded on the ground that the Monarch might be blackmailed by the government if he goes ahead to negotiate with the terrorist group, especially on the over 200 students of Government Girls’ Secondary School abducted by the sect on April 14, without seeking government’s permission and approval.

 

Recall that some Muslim leaders, under the aegis of Concerned Muslim Professionals wrote to the Sultan earlier in July, asking him to lead the dialogue with the Boko Haram sect.
The group told the Monarch, who doubles as the President-General of the NSCIA, to use his position and engage members of the sect in a dialogue that would make them stop their campaign of killings.
However, the Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, told Punch that the President-General of the council should not be forced into taking up the task of negotiating with the terrorists.
He said, “The Muslim community had always been taking action; it had always been appealing to the people (Boko Haram) but Muslim leaders are also cautious because in your process to go out to look for these people; if in the process you’re caught talking with them, the government can even turn against you and say you’re part of part of Boko Haram.

 

“No matter the level of the Muslim leader, he has to think twice before he begins to communicate with these people (sect) because the same government that you want to work for can turn against you and accuse you of complicity; and you will be on your own.
“They (government) have enough machinery to present you as a devil such that members of your family will believe that you’re a devil.”
He added thus: “I am not the Sultan but fortunately, the Sultan has dual status; traditionally, he is the Sultan of Sokoto; religiously, he is the leader of the Muslim community. I relate with him as far as his mandate as the leader of the Muslim community is concerned.