Nigerians receive ‘ceasefire’ news with caution

The declaration of a ceasefire by both the Nigerian government and Boko Haram should be treated with caution, a number of Nigerians told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

The citizens made their feelings known in interviews with NAN in Damaturu, capital of Yobe state and Abuja, the federal capital tterritory.

While some of the respondents commended both parties for the agreement, others the government to be wary of the group, as its members were capable of flouting the terms of the pact any time.

Okey Bernard, an Abuja-based writer, commended the agreement but urged the two parties to be sincere in its implementation.

“If it is true that the dreaded group has agreed to lay down arms, it is commendable but the government should be wary of them,” he said.

“How come this ceasefire is coming weeks after the federal government committed about $15 million to an arms deal in South Africa?”

Bernard said that while the army could be suspecting that Boko Haram may want to use the ceasefire to “build up its arsenal”, the sect might as well harbour suspicion that the army would not play fair.

“This is similar to Niger Delta Amnesty and also the truce between the Spanish Government and the Basque Separatists,” he said.

Deji Ayoola, a resident of Abuja, commended the agreement, describing it as a Godly intervention.

“If it is true, then it is a big relief and I see it as God’s intervention to solve the problem of terrorism,” he said.

Another resident, Ann Ogunye, advised the government to be wary of the agreement ,as Boko Haram cannot be trusted.

“The government should be a bit careful because for groups like the Boko Haram, ceasefire is usually not easy. A faction may come up tomorrow to reject the agreement,” she said

In Damaturu, residents expressed reservations over the ceasefire.

“We are skeptical about the agreement,” Baba Buni, a Buni-Yadi resident who fled to Damaturu because of the insurgency, said.

“It is too early to celebrate the ceasefire agreement.”

Haruna Kali, another resident, expressed similar sentiments.

“Sometimes in the past, we were told that the Boko Haram sect had nominated Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi to negotiate ceasefire on their behalf, but they later denied him,” he recalled.

“We will wait to hear from the sect before believing anything, because, for now, we have not heard from them.”