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Presidential Cmte Consults With Boko Haram Inmates In Kuje Prison

The Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of the crisis in northern Nigeria has debunked reports that some members of the committee are demoralised … Continue reading Presidential Cmte Consults With Boko Haram Inmates In Kuje Prison


The Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of the crisis in northern Nigeria has debunked reports that some members of the committee are demoralised following incessant attacks in some parts of the country at a time the committee is yet to carry out their assignment.

Chairman of the committee and Minister for Special Duties; Alhaji Kabiru Turaki said this at the Kuje Prisons on Thursday, where the committee members started consultations with inmates of the prisons who are members of Boko Haram.

He expressed optimism that the committee will come up with useful consultations that will enable them give recommendations which let peace to reign in the northern part of the country.

The committee had earlier visited the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) before the visit to Kuje Prisons.


Alhaji Turaki also gave the assurance that the committee is poised to carry out their assignment with all sense of diligence.

Claiming that the detained insurgents are cooperating with the committee, the Minister did not disclose what was discussed but said they were seeking ways to have constructive dialogue with Nigerians across board.

He appealed for understanding and prayers for them to succeed.

“As some of you may have noticed, we have had very useful discussions with some inmates that are being held here on the allegations of being either members of Jamatul Alhus Sunnah (Boko Haram) on accounts of terrorism or acts related thereto.”

“We want to assure Nigerians that this committee is poised to make sure that we carry out this assignment with all sense of responsibility, with all honesty and with diligence” he said.

He further adds that “we have had cause, in the past, to speak to members of Jamatul Alhus Sunnah and in doing so to tell them that members of this committee are people of proven integrity, are accomplished Nigerians that have been carefully selected by Mr. President to come and do this national assignment.”

Still looking

Mr. Turaki, while clarifying that the committee’s brief was not to secure or grant amnesty but to encourage dialogue among stakeholders, said the essence of the committee was not to get the group to cease fire alone but to attain total ceasefire.

“We do not have any grudges against anybody, do not harbour any ill feeling or prejudices against anybody. We have resolved and we have pledged and will continue to pledge that in carrying out this assignment, we will do it with the fear of God, high sense of patriotism and nationalism. We shall be guided by sense of decency and the feeling of trying to ensure that at the end of the day there is more peace in Nigeria.”

“We are still looking for ways of having dialogue- constructive, honest and frank dialogue- with all major stakeholders across board. And so we will continue to solicit the support and cooperation of not only the people that are considered to be directly or indirectly involved in these issues, but other Nigerians” he added.