I ‘ll facilitate more Boko Haram members to surrender -Kalthum

Chairperson of Kalthum foundation for peace has said that her commitment to facilitate the surrender of commanders and foot soldiers of Boko Haram insurgents who want to surrender to the federal government through the military.

The Executive Director made the called in an interview with Blueprint in Gombe on Sunday.

Ms Kalthum’s foundation played a strategic role in the release of an abducted NYSC member in May this year and the organization is also spearheading talks for the release of four other persons (a pastor of the Living Faith Church, another Corp member and two teenage school girls) abducted by the Shekau faction of Boko Haram.

Ms Kalthum whose motivation is to see that young girl are allowed to grow in a peaceful environment said that she wants to see channels of dialogue and negotiation opened between the government and the insurgents.

“I must say that I am comfortable with the idea of negotiating for the release of hostages every now and then but by and large I think it’s a good thing because lives are saved and it’s also another way of dialogue. We are gradually building up trust and confidence which may eventually lead to negotiations,” said Ms Kalthum.

She went further to say, “What is important to me is to see that this bloodletting is stopped. The government doesn’t take pleasure in killing its own people but they have no option if the insurgents continue to activate the violent approach. I am calling on commanders and foot soldiers who want to surrender to do so. I have been making this appeal since 2017 but I think now is the ripe time for all of them to surrender. My door is open and I know this government is also willing to accept them into society.”

Kalthum foundation for peace is a registered charity working in the northeast to build peace and manage conflict through non-violent means. KFP is currently working with the British Council to provide capacity development to ten women associations in Borno state

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