PRO-JONATHAN GROUP BACKS CEASEFIRE DEAL WITH B/HARAM

The President of the Jonathan Trust Foundation Abiodun Dada has said that the federal government’s ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram sect has become necessary because the sect is no longer a faceless organisation.
He said Nigerians have often sought for the group to come out for negotiation with the government.
Speaking in Abuja, Dada said: “The ceasefire is the best thing that has come out of this fight against the insurgents so far. Apart from killing Shekau, having a ceasefire agreement is a step in the right direction.
“Now, it is no longer a faceless organisation. At least, some people are coming forward to say they represent the group. They are willing to talk with the government, which is what we have always been trying to do over the years, to get them to talk. To get them to come from their hideouts and sit down and discuss with the federal government. To state what their problems are, why they are fighting killing and kidnapping.”
The federal government confirmed in recent weeks it was in negotiation with the Boko Haram insurgents but fierce fighting between government forces and the militants are still ongoing.
Mr Dada said Nigerians needed to be patient for the enforcement of the ceasefire agreement in face of fresh fightings in the North-east.
“We need to allow time for it to work. We need to allow a little time for the information to get to the Boko Haram people in the field. For the Nigeria military, it is just for the commander to tell the soldiers to ceasefire at the appropriate time,” Dada noted