Inline with the Jonathan’s administration’s use of the “carrot and stick” approch in handling the Boka Haram menance, the Federal Government on Thursday began dialogue with the 104 Boko Haram suspects being detained in Lagos prisons.
Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu, and Chairman, Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, led the committee members to the meeting.
Tanimu told newsmen after the meeting that the visit was aimed at interacting with the suspects and charting a new way forward.
He said, “We came basically to have interaction with people detained in connection with acts relating to terrorism.
“We have interacted and spoken to them and they responded very sincerely and frankly, and I think I can say that we are well informed about most of the things they are interested in.
“For now, we are more concerned with the release of vulnerable people and those not pinned down by the security agencies.
“We have seen those the Directorate of Public Prosecution advised for release.”
Tanimu added, “We have not seen any woman or child here, but even at that, I am sure the committee will make appropriate recommendations as far as the issue of their release is concerned.
“We have interacted with stakeholders. We have been informed and we have been given pieces of advice that will help in making our recommendation to government.
“I can assure you that the committee is on top of the situation as far as dialogue is concerned. We have no serious challenges at the moment.’’
Leave a Reply