Nigeria - Doubts Over Government Dialogue As Boko Haram Strike In Gombe

Suspected members of radical Islamic sect Boko Haram have struck again in Nigeria, Sabon-Laye, the Gombe State capital, where they exploded a bomb.

Although no life was confirmed lost at press time, the incident caused panic in the state capital and brought business activities to a standstill as shop owners and traders immediately shut their outlets and markets and rushed to their homes.

Nevertheless, the military in Borno State made a breakthrough in investigations as they recovered a register alleged to contain suspected Boko Haram members during a dawn raid in the home of a “commander” of the terrorist group.

Some concerned residents in Gombe said the blast had cast doubts on the purported dialogue between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram.

Last week, presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed that the Federal Government was dialoguing with Boko Haram to end the attacks by the terrorists.

He said the dialogue between government and Boko Haram was being facilitated through “backroom channels.”

“The form of the dialogue is that backroom channels are being used to reach across with the sole objective of understanding what exactly the grievances of these persons are, what exactly can be done to resolve the crises,” said Abati.

Security operatives stormed the area and blocked all the adjoining streets to the scene of the blast.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Fuje Attajiri, who confirmed the explosion, said the police had brought the situation under control.

He said no life was lost, adding that no suspect had been arrested in connection with the blast.

But some eyewitnesses told AE reporters that policemen whisked away 10 persons from the scene of the explosion.

One of the residents said: “For the police to tell you that they did not arrest anybody, they are telling you and the world lies because we saw them when they arrested some youths in this area.”

A senior police officer however said: “I saw our men coming into the command with some people, but I can not confirm to you whether the arrest was made at the scene where the bomb exploded or not.”

“Frankly speaking, I agree with you that some youths were brought here and they are in our cell but I don’t know their offences.”