Nigerian prelate: no negotiations with Islamist terrorists

September 28, 2011

One of Nigeria’s leading prelates is urging the nation’s government not to negotiate with Boko Haram (“Western education is a sin”), the Islamist terrorist group active in northern Nigeria.

“The majority of Nigerians do not think it is possible to talk about dialogue with people who kill innocent people indiscriminately,” said Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja, the nation’s capital. “You cannot talk with killers.”

“This is the position of the Nigerian Episcopal Conference, that in a statement published last week says that the Nigerian government must meet the needs of legitimate and peaceful demands, but one cannot talk about dialogue with criminals and murderers.”

The prelate’s remarks followed the publication of a government report recommending negotiations with Boko Haram.

 

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Further information:

• "Nigerians are not intimidated by threats of attacks", says the Archbishop of Abuja (Fides)