Some of you know that I have always canvassed for dialogue or anything in addition to, or apart from military approach to the Boko Haram menace. When ever issues of dialogue come up, some people lose their cool and allow their emotions take the better part of them.
Although we don't like to accept this fact, a sole military approach has repeatedly failed to quell the insurgents. Therefore, we should adopt the carrot approach. Now, some people may disagree with me, no doubt. But it is easy to disagree, especially when you are not in anyway affected, whether directly or indirectly. Scores of people are killed everyday and you think the best solution is to send in more soldiers? Aren't we tired of spilling the blood of our soldiers without meaningful result?
It is a good thing government has given a thought to the idea of negotiation, even though it had criticised this in the past. However, in negotiating, government must earn the trust of these terrorist, and must be sincere. The terrorist on their part must do same.
While I welcome the idea of negotiation, government should not fool itself into believing that it is the only means of ending insurgency. We must cut the source of their funds and recruitment. It may do us well to know who their sponsors are, while negotiating. To check mate recruitment, government must dissuade will youths. This it can do by engaging them positively.