Boko Haram: Arrest of Our Member, Obstacle to Dialogue.

“Everybody knows our capability and tactics of operation. It is evidently clear that none of our members could be caught on a platter of gold and without confrontation..

We want to reiterate that no amount of threat, arrest and intimidation will stop us from our course. We are not afraid of death and we are ever ready to die."

Twenty-four hours after the arrest of a suspected spokesman of Boko Haram, Abu Qaqa, the sect last night said the arrest of its member is an obstacle to the Federal Government’s planned dialogue with it. The sect also said the person arrested and in the custody of the security organisation is not its spokesman, Qaqa, but head of its enlightenment department, Abu Daadaa. But an official of the Department of State Security (DSS) told THISDAY last night that the planned dialogue, claimed by the sect was an issue that is discussed at the realm of politics, not security. “We have information that a group in Maiduguri is saying that the dialogue proposed is foreclosed because of the arrest of some of their key figures. “Our reaction to it is that we are merely security outfit. The issue of dialogue is political and not for us. Our duty is to ensure security and not to discuss or talk politics,” he said.

In a teleconferencing with journalists in Maiduguri, a Boko Haram official said: “We want to react on what security agents said in respect of the arrest of one of our own. The person that was arrested was Abu Dardaa and not Abu-Qaqa. “I am Abu Qaqa, the spokesman of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnati Lidda’awati Wal Jihad. Abu Dardaa is the head of the Lagina (dept) of public enlightenment and not the spokesman. “The arrest of Abu Dardaa is an outright deception and betrayal by the Nigerian government and security agents. They proclaimed dialogue and are doing the opposite. His arrest has proven to us that they were waiting for us to avail ourselves so that they can arrest us. “We purposely sent Abu Dardaa to Kaduna to discuss with some key government functionaries on the issue of dialogue. Indeed, he had started talking to them but unknown to him, they directed some security agents to trail him behind and arrested him. This is exactly what happened. He volunteered to present himself for the dialogue but was betrayed.”

He warned that: “Everybody knows our capability and tactics of operation. It is evidently clear that none of our members could be caught on a platter of gold and without confrontation. “We initially thought that the much talked about dialogue was true and we actually resolved that after the initial meeting with Dardaa, we would send five representatives to stand for us. “Part of what we told him to discuss with the government representatives was the unconditional release of our members as pre-condition for any further discussion. I want to reiterate that we want all our members to be released for peace to return and for dialogue to hold. “We are fully aware that the Nigerian government is deceptive in all ramifications but we resolved to give their offer a trial…

unfortunately however, this is the outcome of all the call they have been making on dialogue. The truth is that even if they arrest all of us, God will protect his religion. “We want to reiterate that no amount of threat, arrest and intimidation will stop us from our course. We are not afraid of death and we are ever ready to die. Even before the arrest of Dardaa, so many of our members have been arrested.” “Our spiritual leader, Mallam Mohammed Yusuf, was arrested and detained severally and was even killed by the Nigerian security forces but we, his followers are not deterred from propagating Islam. “Thearrest or killing of any member of our sect will not stop us from what we are doing,” he added.

Source: THISDAY