Nigerian govt to have dialogue with militant group

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Nigerian government announced Saturday that it is ready to hold peace talks with the Boko Haram sect in a bid to stop violence in the west African country.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku disclosed this in a statement made available to Xinhua, saying the olive branch extended to the militant group by the government followed recent comments credited to Boko Haram members in the media, in which they signaled readiness to hold dialogue with government representatives.

"The government welcomes any initiative that will usher in peace, security and tranquility, in the light of security challenges we have faced in the last two years," said the minister, adding that the government wishes to reiterate its willingness to listen to the grievances of the sect.

Although President Goodluck Jonathan has openly expressed worry over the activities of Boko Haram and has devised several schemes to tackle the menace, critics blame him for the inability of his government to stop the violence.

According to Maku, the government hopes that the dialogue would lead to the restoration of peace, security and tranquility to northern Nigeria.

"The government also takes special notice of the disclosure by the sect that there are individuals and groups in the society who have been using the name of the group to attack and kill innocent Nigerians for their own selfish ends," Maku said.

Boko Haram is an Islamic sect waging war against the Nigerian government and engaging in a series of bombings targeted at Christian churches in Nigeria. Reports show that the militant group has claimed over 1,400 lives in its bloody attacks in the northern and central parts of the country since 2010.