Boko Haram: If dialogue is the way forward, pursue it – Cleric

A Christian cleric, and Area Superintendent of the Apostolic Church, Kano Area, Pastor Felix Okunola Olotu, has appealed to the Federal Government to dialogue with the Boko Haram sect, if it feels it is the only option to end the insurgence.

Olotu was making the appeal at the 32nd convention of the church in Kano at the weekend; the clergyman said the Federal Government has the capacity to end the Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges facing the country.

During an interview with pressmen after the convention that gathered members from Kano, Katsina, Bauchi and Jigawa states, Pastor Olotu described as unnecessary, the incessant shedding of the blood of innocent Nigerians and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to address security challenges in the country head-on.

According to him, “The insecurity in the country gives everybody concern because as Nigerians, we all know that shedding of blood and killing people is not good; and not in the best interest of the government and the people….They (government) can do it if they want to do it. The leaders have the authority over everybody in this nation. If they think dialogue is the way forward, they should pursue it. What we need is peace.”