National Unrest: I Am Still Willing To Help Nigeria – Boko Haram Negotiator, Salkida

Ahmad Salkida, a northern-born journalist who is believed to have a very close relationship with the Boko Haram sect has restated his willingness to help Nigeria out of its current security challenges.

 
It is widely believed that Salkida was a good friend to the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, as well as other kingpin of the outlawed sect.


Following the discovery, he fled the shores of Nigeria for the United Arab Emirates on account of an alleged threat to his life over what he tagged as his “professional closeness” to the insurgents.

In a post on his LinkedIn page, he said, “my first-rate exclusive reports on the insurgency in northern Nigeria served by the Boko Haram militant group unsettled a section of the local authorities. This consequently led to threats to my life. I now live with my family and work part-time in the United Arab Emirates.”

Also speaking more on Twitter, the writer said, “There is nothing wrong in having professional access to insurgents as long as it is used to save lives and promote peaceful co-existence. I will forever be readily available to use my rare professional access and knowledge to end this madness and senseless violence in Nigeria.

“Speculations should not becloud the fact that there are many well-meaning patriots, including myself, that are working quietly day and night for peace. Nigeria is our country. We have no other country to call our own. So let’s get it right. I love Nigeria, I cherish its unity. I will do anything legitimately to make it better than it is, if I can.” He wrote on his Twitter handle.

The 40-year-old journalist, however, called on Nigerians to render “unconditional support” to the military in the ongoing war against the insurgents.

“Is there a good understanding of the structure, composition and lifeline of the Boko Haram by our leaders? Has there been a counter-terrorism strategy in Nigeria that has worked in the last three years beyond summary execution and detention without trial?
“Will the Boko Haram crisis end? It may never be totally eliminated, but a cohesive community that trusts its authorities can curb it. The day we begin to see this war as a threat to Nigeria and not a threat to the Beroms, Christians or Muslims, that is the beginning of our victory,” he added.

The journalist, who has won several grants from organisations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters without Borders, flayed both President Goodluck Jonathan and the opposition for politicising the insurgency.

“I’m frustrated each time my dear President blames the opposition and the opposition blames him. You all need to sit down in

the interest of Nigeria and learn. How can this crisis stop when security and political leaders, with the onus of responsibility for public safety, politicise insurgency?

“This is a case of corrosive doctrine that is poorly managed by the authorities. If effective measures are not taken today, at the end of GEJ’s administration – whether it is General Muhammodu Buhari, (Babatunde) Fashola or Atiku (Abubakar) that is taking over – the crisis will intensify. It’s not who is in power. The central theme of the Boko Haram insurgency is to undermine the institution of democracy and those that support it,” he further tweeted.

Daily Post