A former Head of State in Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed his support for the negotiations between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram terrorist group.

At a media parley on Monday in Minna, Niger State, organised to commemorate his 74th Birthday Anniversary, retired General Babangida said there was nothing wrong with the Federal Government reaching a peace deal with the Boko Haram insurgents.

He also commended the efforts by the present administration to tackle insurgency in the north-east and expressed confidence in the capacity of the Federal Government to win the war against terrorism.

Ready To Negotiate

On August 8, the Nigerian government said it was ready to negotiate with the Boko Haram insurgents if the true leaders of the group could be identified and properly represented.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, gave the government’s position at a dinner in Abuja.

He said the government could not afford to negotiate with anybody masquerading as the leader of the group and in the end, collect money from government fraudulently.

The government’s statement has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some saying the government should not negotiate with a terrorist group, suggesting that security forces should tackle the group.

There have been counter-terrorism operations in the north-east for over five years, but the terrorist group of late resorted to suicide bombing, attacking soft targets.

During his campaign, President Muhammadu Buhari had promised to end insurgency as soon as possible if voted into office.

Since he became President, the terrorist group has killed over 1,000 persons in different attacks in north-east, north-central and north-wast regions.

Last week, President Buhari issued a three-month ultimatum to Service Chiefs to end the insurgency in the north-east.