New NSA Sambo Dasuki seeks dialogue with Boko Haram
DAMATURU, Nigeria - The newly appointed National Security Adviser (NSA) to the president, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (RTD), on a visit to troubled Yobe state on Thursday, stated that the federal government will give priority to dialogue and negotiation to tackle the security challenges in the country.
The NSA who was in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital to commiserate with the people of the state over the recent violence staged by members of Boko Haram, made it clear that the federal government is determined to end the insurgency.
According to him, the president is fully committed to finding a permanent solution to the violence and he called on the insurgents to give peace a chance if any meaningful progress must be achieved.
“Government is committed to bringing an end to the security challenges and there is the need to put heads together to bring a final end to the situation as we want to go back to normalcy and, move forward,” the NSA said.
While expressing sadness over the destruction and setback he observed across the state since his arrival, Col Dasuki noted that no meaningful progress can be achieved through violence and call on the attackers to shelve their swords.
“If one considers the colossal collateral damages these confrontations cause due to the unconventional methods of the insurgents, the option of resolution through dialogue and negotiation should be pursued as a priority” he said.
“I do not see how anybody is benefiting out of this,” he added.
He called on traditional leaders to exhibit their fatherly role by ensuring that peace return to their various communities.
N1.2billion security
Receiving the NSA, the governor of Yobe state, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam called for the deployment of more troops to the state to complement the efforts of those on ground to enable them tackle the increasing insecurity in the state.
Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam stated that since the declaration of state of emergency in some parts of the state his administration has expended over N1.2 billion in ensuring the security of lives and property in the state.
The governor also expressed readiness to collaborate with the federal government towards finding lasting peace in the state and the nation as a whole.
Denying that the recent attacks were religious, Alhaji Gaidam called on Nigerians to disregard the claim that the attack in the state is by the Muslim population against the Christians, pointing out that the attack cut across all religious inclination.
