The presidential committee on dialogue and peaceful resolution of the security challenges in the North has said it is still hopeful of engaging in dialogue with the Boko Haram sect.
Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, the chairman of the committee, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, on Sunday, that dialogue would take place in spite of the recent developments.
Turaki, who is also the Minister of Special Duties, said the dialogue would bring lasting solutions to the states affected by the insurgency.
“Let me say that conflicts are resolved not on the battle field but on the negotiation table. We are hoping that this one will also be resolved the same way.
“There is no option to dialogue because whatever cannot be achieved through peace, we cannot achieve through violence,” he said.
Turaki commended the Borno State government and security agencies for their efforts in maintaining peace in the state.
He also dispelled the rumours that members of the committee were shot during their visit to Bama, headquarters of Bama Local Government Area.
“We were not greeted with gunshots in Bama, but we met an exchange of fire between security agents and some suspected gunmen. The gunshots were not meant for us and it did not deter us from doing our job,” he said. (NAN)
