Date: 2012-11-10

Mr Rafiu Balogun, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, has described as a welcome development the Federal Government’s decision to hold talks with the Boko Haram sect.

The sect is waging an insurgency, which the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubike Ihejirika, says has claimed some 3,000 lives in the northern part of Nigeria.

Balogun told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Friday that the proposed talks would bring peace to troubled parts in the nation.

"The Federal Government's readiness to hold talks with the Boko Haram is in the best interest of Nigerians, considering the number of lives and property lost to the carnage.

"It is obvious that the issue cannot be resolved through the instrumentality of force but by dialogue.

"For the past two years, Nigeria has been the cynosure of all eyes as result of the Boko Haram sect's insurgence," he said.

Balogun, however, advised the government to be cautious during the negotiations to safeguard the interest of the nation.

"Federal Government should be cautions and careful in its negotiations; it should make the interest of Nigeria paramount and above any other consideration," he said.

The NBA chairman said he saw nothing wrong in picking a venue outside Nigeria for the talks and the inclusion of certain people in the peace parley as demanded by the sect.

"There is no fuss about the venue and inclusion of certain people in the negotiation; what is important is reaching a truce that will bring a lasting solution to the insurgency," he added.