Ceasefire: We'll Take Boko Haram Seriously After A Month - FG

Days after the Boko Haram terrorist group announced its resolve to Dialogue and hold a ceasefire, the Federal Government has reacted by laying down a condition to the sect: Boko Haram Must Stop its Violence in the North for a period of One Month.

The Chief of Defence  Staff, Admiral Ola Sa'ad Ibrahim stated this while speaking to journalists at the opening of the 2013 seminar on National Security with the theme "Contemporary National Security Challenges: Policy Option", organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence college, Abuja.

He said that while the Security Chiefs were excited by the prospect of peace, they had to be Cautious about the olive branch offered by the sect. As such, the Government could only take the sect seriously, if no public place, place of worship or security formation is not attacked in the Next 30 days.

He also expressed his hope that the development would result in improved security

He said, "You see, we must must treat that with a lot of Caution. You understand, there are certain objective tests that will make sense. Let's assume we can have a long period of about one month where no bomb explodes, where nobody is shot, where nobody is beheaded, where no church is bombed, where no mosque is threatened.

"If they can guarantee just one month, then we can begin to talk. You see we must take this with a lot of Caution. That is what I am telling you".

"We hope whatever that must have brought about this will further enhance our security  and it's like recognition of the very futile approach to solving whatever they consider to be the problems. So we are a bit excited by it but we are taking everything with a lot of caution".