NTA – “Boko Haram is ready to talk” … as Boko Haram leaders deny report, accept responsibility for Kaduna blast

Photo credit: Radio Netherlands Worldwide Africa

by Hauwa Gambo

Less than a week after security forces apprehended Abdul Qaqa, spokesperson for the dreaded Boko Haram sect, there is a report that the group has indicated willingness to take the government up on its offer to dialogue.

According to the government-owned television station, NTA, the sect had yesterday named four northern leaders to negotiate with the Federal Government on its behalf – Sheik Abubakar Gero, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, and Alh Ali Bukar Ibrahim, the former governor of Yobe State are cleary identified in the vídeo, while the fourth is unclear.

In the vídeo showed by the station, there are two figures, masked behind black cloth, with one voice speaking. “We here confirm and accept the reported initiative of the President for a dialogue as a welcome development”, the speaker said, adding that “the decision taken by these people can actually change the whole situation”.

However, according to newspaper reports, known leaders of the sect have this evening disowned the vídeo, claiming it does not originate from the sect.

Indeed, the vídeo is curious, especially since, in a related development, the group – in a phone conference with journalists this evening – has claimed responsibility for the bombs that put Kaduna under seige earlier today.