Chief of Defence staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim has disclosed that the Military received the ceasefire notice announced on Monday by the Boko Haram Islamist sect with caution and will therefore give the leaders of the sect one month to prove its seriousness with the move.
Commander in-charge of the Boko Haram sect in North and Central Borno, Sheikh Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez Ibn Idris announced the ceasefire on Monday, saying the sect, which has waged war against the government, Christians and security agents since 2009, has laid down its arms.
The ceasefire was brokered by Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kassim Shetima after series of meeting with Jama’atul Ahalis Sunna Lida’awati Wal known as Boko Haram.
Fielding questions in Abuja at the 3rd seminar on National Security organised by the Alummi Association of National Defence College (AANDEC), Admiral Ibrahim said that Boko Haram ceasefire was received with caution.
“We give them one month where nobody is shot, nobody is beheaded, no church is burnt or attacked, no mosque is attacked, no government property and private property is destroyed,” he said.
“If he can guarantee one month, then we can begin to talk. You see, we received it with a lot of caution. That is what I am telling you.”
On the peace initiative, the CDS expressed hopes that “whatever has brought this will further enhance our security.
“It is like a recognition,” he said. “We are not excited because we are taking everything with a lot of caution.”
He also spoke on Nigerian troops’ ongoing operation in Mali, saying the soldiers are performing brilliantly in Mali. He thanked the governments of France, U.S., Britain, Germany, Belgium, and others in the AU for the efforts in Mali.
“Although Mali is an ECOWAS problem, it has taken an international dimension and we are very excited, especially the Committee of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff, as the operation is moving very fast,” said adding that the operation will move into second phase to consolidate and the third phase that will deal with security sector reforms.
Like Admiral Ibrahim, President of Alummi Association of National Defence College, Rear Admiral Amos Adedeji expressed happiness with the ceasefire but cautioned that everyone should be at alert.
