Following yesterday’s attack on the emir of Kano’s convoy by unknown assailants, former military head of state General Ibrahim Babangida has called on the Government to dialogue with insurgents as a means of ending the persistent security challenges that had plagued the nation. In a statement released today, he urged the Government to consider the dialogue option, since the use of force has proved ineffective at curbing the menace.

Following yesterday’s attack on the emir of Kano’s convoy by unknown assailants, former military head of state General Ibrahim Babangida has called on the Government to dialogue with insurgents as a means of ending the persistent security challenges that had plagued the nation. In a statement released today, he urged the Government to consider the dialogue option, since the use of force has proved ineffective at curbing the menace.

General Babangida’s statement is coming at the backdrop of a change in tactics/strategy by the insurgents who have in the recent past targeted higher profile individuals and targets as opposed to ordinary citizens. The murder of General Shuwa in late 2012 and yesterday’s attack on the Emir typify this change in tactics and many Nigerian pundits are already suggesting that “the chickens have started coming back home to roost”. This assertion is in response to a statement credited to certain northern elements who after the election of President Goodluck Jonathan, promised to make the country ungovernable for the president or any other southerner who ascends to that position. 

It should be recalled that last week, former president Olusegun Obasanjo in an exclusive interview granted to CNN also averred that the government should consider dialogue with the insurgents. It will be interesting to see the position of other former heads of state on this matter.

By Jerry Ladan.

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Attack on Emir of Kano: IBB Calls for dialogue