Boko Haram: Dialogue remians best option — Lawyers

Lawyers have advised the Federal Government to use a multi-dimensional approach in its handling of the insurgency by the Boko Haram sect.
They argued that if the sect had genuine intention to dialogue with the government, it should have ordered a ceasefire.
In separate interviews with SUNDAY PUNCH, the lawyers advised that dialogue was necessary to end massive loss of lives and property.
Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje, said the government should be held responsible for failing to provide security.
He said, “We cannot call President Jonathan the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and he is not able to provide security for lives and property.
“There are some killings that are justifiable under the law. If an opponent uses weapons on harmless persons in churches and mosques, as the C-in-C, you can call out the military to match such opponent force-to-force.”
Tayo Oyetibo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who argued that the Boko Haram issue could not be compared with Odi and Zaki Biam as the sect was faceless, said dialogue was inevitable. He however said the government could use force pending the time the negotiation lasted.
He said, “There is nothing wrong with dialogue. Boko Haram might have genuine reasons and grievances. However, that does not mean the government will not use other means to quell the insurgency.”
Oyetibo pointed out that suspected terrorists in custody should be tried to ensure justice.
Another SAN, Prof. Itse Sagay, who said the government was already using force, corroborated Oyetibo on the prosecution of the suspects. He said the suspects should be tried even though there was a dialogue between the government and the sect.
He said, “I do not think the families of the victims will accept such arrangement (the release of suspects as a term of the negotiation). It will be totally unacceptable, as it will encourage terrorism, genocide and mass murder.
However, Yusuf Alli, also a SAN, argued that only a dialogue with the sect could restore peace. He advised the government to make its stand on the proposed dialogue known.
He said, “Even in wars, there are rules. In the course of shooting, you must consider human rights. I was part of those who called for negotiation with the sect, as the world wars ended on the roundtable.”