Elechi cautions govt over Boko Haram

GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State has urged the Federal Government not to go into any form of negotiation with the Boko Haram sect, stressing that insinuation in some quarters that the activities of the sect were similar to the agitation by Niger Delta militants in the south-south region should be rejected.Elechi made the call when he received the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj. Gen. Sunday Idoke.He noted that the major issue behind the agitation in the Niger Delta region was clear to the country and even the world, regretting that 'on the contrary, Boko Haram was yet to tell Nigerians the reasons behind their gruesome activities in various parts of the country.''People normally draw comparisons with the Niger Delta situation but I think there is nothing similar between the two. In Niger Delta, people who have been agitating as far back as 1957 over marginalisation and when oil was discovered, oil spillage and degradation of the environment compounded problems.'It was the environmental problem that the Niger Delta people reacted against and called the world's attention to their sufferings, but that was not the case with Boko Haram insurgence. I believe the sooner we appreciate that the better.Those who are behind it should expose themselves and if they are surrendering, I believe the nation will give them amnesty but to talk of negotiating with them, I ask myself, what are we negotiating for'' Reiterating his opposition to any step towards any form of negotiation with Boko Haram, the governor pointed that if such gesture was adopted, it would legalise acts of terrorism thereby leading to serious breakdown of law and order.Elechi also asked security agencies in the country to brace up to the new challenges of dealing with terrorism in the country.Earlier in his remarks, the GOC while commending Elechi for the reception said the courtesy visit was part of the process of familiarising himself with the military formation under the division.
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