Muslims Tell Sultan, Don't Negotiates For Chibok Girls

The Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has warned the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saád Abubakar, not to hold talks with the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, until he receives an official approval from the Federal Government.

The council is afraid the Sultan might be blackmailed by the government if he goes ahead to negotiate with the terrorists group without any official consent.

Some Islamic elite, under the aegis of Concerned Muslim Professionals, had written to the Sultan earlier in July, asking him to lead the dialogue with the Boko Haram sect.

The group told the monarch, who is the President-General of the NSCIA, to use his position and engage members of the sect in dialogue that would make them stop their campaign of killings.

Similarly, a human rights activist based in the North and President, Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria, Mr. Shehu Sani, had earlier in May asked the Sultan to spearhead the moves to secure the release of the abducted pupils from the group’s captivity.

Sani, in a letter to the religious leader, had said, “You (Sultan) have a moral duty and a spiritual responsibility to be visibly and actively involved in seeking the resolution of this impasse happening within areas you have religious influence.”

However, the Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, believes otherwise;

He said, “The Muslim community had always been taking action; it had always been appealing to the people (Boko Haram) but Muslim leaders are also cautious because in your process to go out to look for these people; if in the process you’re caught talking with them, the government can even turn against you and say you’re part of part of Boko Haram.

“No matter the level of the Muslim leader, he has to think twice before he begins to communicate with these people (sect) because the same government that you want to work for can turn against you and accuse you of complicity; and you will be on your own.

“They (government) have enough machinery to present you as a devil such that members of your family will believe that you’re a devil.”

…........

I completely agree the Sultan needs an official consent. It is not wise to act on behalf of the government without one, not necessary for the reasons given by the Secretary-General.