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Buhari was once chosen as Boko Haram negotiator – Jonathan

Published

8 months ago

October 3, 2025

Former President Muhammadu Buhari and Former President Goodluck Jonathan

Buhari was once chosen as Boko Haram negotiator – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that the Boko Haram terrorists previously proposed former President Muhammadu Buhari to represent them in peace talks with the federal government.

Jonathan made the announcement on Friday at the Abuja public launch of Scars, a book written by former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.).

The former president stated that his administration had formed multiple committees to explore engagement with the group, and that on one of these occasions, the terrorists nominated Buhari as their favorite negotiator.

He went on to say that based on that, he believed it would have been simple for Buhari to negotiate a surrender with the militants if he had been president, but the conflict continued.

Jonathan stated, “One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram, nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government.

“So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and have a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them, and they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today.”

Jonathan mentioned that the inability of Buhari to eradicate Boko Haram terrorists showed that the crisis was more complex than often portrayed.

He said, “If you conduct research and interview many people, you will only get part of the story, but never the full story of Boko Haram. I was there. Boko Haram started in 2009 when I was vice president. I took over in 2010 and spent five years battling the insurgency until I left office.

“I thought that after I left, within a reasonable time, General Buhari would wipe them out. But even today, Boko Haram is still there. The issue of Boko Haram is far more complex than it is often presented.

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“So, it’s a bit complex and not a matter of a single story. But I believe, as a nation, we have to look at the Boko Haram issue differently from the conventional approach. I believe one day we’ll overcome it. Once again, let me thank General Irabor for this, because I always appreciate people who document events clearly. That way, when we write our own accounts, we can borrow from such documentation.

“I also believe that all the military officers involved in the Boko Haram saga should provide information about what the group truly stood for.”

Jonathan also stated that the issue of Boko Haram was beyond hunger, adding that his administration employed so many strategies, but they did not work.

He said, “If it was only about hunger—because we tried different options—I don’t want to sound like I’m defending my government. That will be left for history when we document our books.

“But I believe we did our best: we set up different committees and tried various approaches during the five years I was in office. I believe the late Buhari, too, must have tried his best.

“I believe the government—luckily, with the Defence Minister here and the service chiefs represented—must adopt a slightly different approach. God willing, we will be able to resolve this crisis.”

Jonathan described the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 as a permanent stain on his government.

The former president also expressed hope that some rebel commanders might eventually memorialize their acts, as important actors in the Nigerian Civil War did, to shed light on the insurgency’s motivations.

He said, “It is a scar I will die with. But perhaps later, more details may become known, and that too has to do with Boko Haram.

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“What did they really want? Our chairman once raised the issue when he interviewed some of them, and they gave him certain perspectives. But I pray that one day, some of the Boko Haram leaders may be literate enough to document what they have done so that people will truly understand what they wanted. It is similar to the story of the Nigerian Civil War.”

Jonathan recommended the present administration pursue a carrot-and-stick strategy, emphasizing that the group’s advanced weapons indicated external assistance beyond just hunger or poverty.

He said, “The issue of carrots and the stick may be adopted, and yes, probably the needs are there, but if you look at the weapons they use, and you value the weapons, then you know that these are not hungry people.

“So, the soldiers that sometimes capture some of the weapons will see better, but the weapons they use, the ammunition they use—sometimes they even have more ammunition than our soldiers.

“Where are these guns and sophisticated weapons coming from? And you begin to see that the external hands are also involved, especially when I was president.”

Boko Haram first emerged in Borno State in the early 2000s, but it quickly became a serious security problem after its leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was slain in police custody in 2009.

The terrorist group intensified its violent assault against the Nigerian government, which included bombings, mass abductions, and attacks on military and civilian targets.

In 2012, at the height of Boko Haram’s atrocities, allegations appeared that the terrorist group had listed Buhari as one of the recognized northern elders they trusted to negotiate between themselves and the government.

However, Buhari openly rejected the offer at the time, accusing the Jonathan government of attempting to bring his name into the situation for political reasons.

Buhari was once chosen as Boko Haram negotiator – Jonathan

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Gov Yusuf Approves N20,000 Eid-ul-Adha Goodwill Package for Civil Servants

Published

9 minutes ago

May 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf

Gov Yusuf Approves N20,000 Eid-el-Kabir Goodwill Package for Civil Servants

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a special Eid-ul-Adha goodwill package of Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000) for civil servants across the state and all 44 local government areas as part of efforts to support workers ahead of the forthcoming Sallah celebration. The approval was contained in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Tanko Muhammad, on Monday, May 25, 2026. The gesture comes shortly after the successful payment of May 2026 salaries to both state and local government workers, ensuring that civil servants receive their regular monthly compensation alongside the festive bonus.

According to the official statement, the intervention is targeted at civil servants on Grade Levels 01 to 14 serving in state ministries, departments, agencies, and local government councils across the 44 local government areas of Kano State. The package is designed to provide additional financial relief to workers who fall within these grade levels, which constitute a significant portion of the state’s public service workforce and are often the most vulnerable to economic pressures.

Governor Yusuf said the initiative was part of his administration’s commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of workers, whom he described as the backbone of the public service in Kano State. The Governor noted that the decision was informed by the current economic realities and the financial demands associated with festive periods, stressing that the support would help workers celebrate the Eid festivities with comfort and renewed hope alongside their families. “In recognition of the prevailing economic realities and the financial demands often associated with festive periods, the Governor considered it necessary to provide additional relief to enable workers celebrate Eid with joy, comfort, and renewed hope alongside their families and loved ones,” the statement read. The gesture further underscores the administration’s inclusive governance philosophy and its determination to ensure that no segment of the workforce is left behind in the government’s people-oriented policies and programmes. Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue implementing people-oriented policies aimed at improving workers’ welfare, boosting productivity, and sustaining an efficient public service.

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The Eid bonus is the latest in a series of worker-friendly initiatives introduced by the Yusuf administration. During the May Day celebration in Kano in April 2026, the governor pledged renewed commitment to workers’ welfare, pension settlement, and civil service reforms. Speaking at the event, he noted that Kano State became one of the first states in Nigeria to implement a new minimum wage of N71,000, a move that reflected the administration’s response to prevailing economic pressures on workers and set a benchmark for other states to follow. The Governor has also implemented significant pension reforms that have brought relief to thousands of retired civil servants. These reforms include the clearance of outstanding pension obligations inherited from the previous administration and an increase in the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000. He disclosed that the state has maintained consistent salary payments and described the pension increase as a significant intervention to improve the welfare of senior citizens who served the state diligently. “We have maintained prompt and full payment of salaries and taken bold steps to improve workers’ welfare,” the governor said during the May Day celebration. “We have demonstrated our commitment not only in words but through concrete action.” These statements have been backed by consistent performance, with labour unions in the state acknowledging the administration’s efforts.

Beyond financial interventions, Governor Yusuf has implemented institutional reforms within the civil service that are reshaping the public service landscape in Kano State. These reforms include the establishment of the Local Government Service Commission, which has strengthened career progression, standardized recruitment processes, and harmonised working conditions across the public sector at the local government level. The administration has also rolled out capacity-building programmes for civil servants, including training in information technology, artificial intelligence, financial management, anti-corruption practices, and leadership development. The governor noted that initiatives such as pre-retirement training and professional development workshops are designed to prepare workers for life after service while strengthening efficiency in governance. “Our goal is to build a competent, modern, and forward-looking civil service that meets the demands of today’s governance,” he said. This vision has seen the creation of new ministries, including those for Housing Development, Internal Security, Solid Minerals, and Power & Renewable Energy, as part of broader governance restructuring efforts aimed at making the state machinery more responsive to contemporary challenges.

Governor Yusuf also extended Eid-ul-Adha greetings to civil servants and residents of Kano State, praying for peace, unity, and prosperity in the state and the country at large. The Governor urged workers to continue to discharge their duties with dedication and commitment, assuring them that his administration would continue to prioritize their welfare and wellbeing. The gesture, according to the statement, reflects the administration’s inclusive governance philosophy and its determination to ensure that no segment of the workforce is left behind in the government’s programmes. As Kano State joins the rest of the Muslim world to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, the governor’s approval of the N20,000 goodwill package has been widely praised by civil servant associations and labour unions as a timely intervention that will ease the financial burden of the festive season.

Gov Yusuf Approves N20,000 Eid-ul-Adha Goodwill Package for Civil Servants

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FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

Published

16 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration across Nigeria.

The declaration was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement issued on Monday through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani.

According to the statement, the public holiday declaration reflects the Federal Government’s recognition of the spiritual significance of Eid-ul-Adha, one of the most important festivals in Islam, observed by millions of Muslims in Nigeria and across the world.

The minister congratulated Muslim faithful both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, describing the festival as a solemn period of sacrifice, devotion, obedience to God and compassion for humanity.

He noted that Eid-el-Kabir, also known as Eid-ul-Adha, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command, a symbolic act that remains central to Islamic teachings on faith and submission.

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Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to use the holiday period for prayers and reflection on the country’s unity and collective progress.

“The Federal Government urges all Nigerians to use this period for prayer and sober reflection, asking for divine guidance upon the country as it continues its pursuit of peace, security and prosperity for every citizen,” the statement said.

He also encouraged citizens to embrace the values of brotherhood, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and national unity, stressing the importance of religious harmony and mutual understanding among Nigerians.

The minister called on Muslims to reflect the true spirit of the celebration by extending kindness to the less privileged and promoting acts of charity, which remain key teachings of the festival.

The Federal Government further reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring national peace and stability while wishing Muslims across the country a peaceful, joyous and spiritually fulfilling celebration.

The announcement is expected to trigger increased travel movement across the country as many Nigerians prepare to celebrate with family and loved ones, with transport operators and commercial centres likely to experience heightened activity ahead of the festivities.

Security agencies are also expected to intensify surveillance across major cities, highways and public gathering points to ensure a peaceful celebration nationwide.

Eid-el-Kabir is one of the two major Islamic festivals celebrated annually and is traditionally marked by congregational prayers, animal sacrifice, charity and communal festivities.

FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

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Ex-Governor’s Aide Linked to Kidnap Syndicate in Katsina

Published

16 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Ex-Governor’s Aide Linked to Kidnap Syndicate in Katsina

The Katsina State Government has confirmed that a former Senior Special Assistant on Community Development, Nura Aliyu Garwa, who is currently under police investigation over alleged involvement in a kidnapping syndicate, had earlier been suspended from office before seeking election into the Katsina State House of Assembly.

Garwa is among the suspects recently paraded by the Katsina State Police Command over the alleged abduction of an eight-year-old boy at Sardauna Estate in Katsina metropolis, a case that has sparked widespread concern across the state.

The government’s position was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Salisu Zango, who clarified that Garwa had already been removed from office over misconduct before his political ambition to contest for a legislative seat in Batsari Local Government Area.

According to the statement, Garwa was suspended for his alleged involvement in the diversion of empowerment materials meant for distribution to communities under the state’s Community Development Programme.

The commissioner explained that the suspension was part of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s commitment to accountability and transparency in public service.

“The suspected mastermind of the kidnapping syndicate, Nura Aliyu Garwa, had earlier been suspended as Senior Special Assistant on Community Development before his intention to contest for the position of member of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Batsari Local Government,” the statement said.

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It added that his suspension followed allegations bordering on the diversion of items meant to empower vulnerable communities in Batsari.

Governor Radda described the allegations linking Garwa to criminal activity as disturbing, especially given his previous role in government and his political aspirations.

The governor condemned the activities of the suspected syndicate and commended the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their swift action in dismantling the criminal network.

He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence to help combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

The development follows the recent parade of suspected kidnappers by the Katsina State Police Command, during which security operatives announced the arrest of members of a syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of the eight-year-old victim in Katsina metropolis.

Police authorities identified Garwa as one of the principal suspects and alleged that investigations had uncovered his connection to the criminal operation.

The arrest has generated intense public reaction due to Garwa’s previous status as a government aide and his attempt to secure elective office.

Security agencies say investigations are ongoing to establish the full scope of the syndicate’s operations and determine whether additional arrests will be made.

The case comes amid intensified efforts by the Katsina State Government and federal security agencies to curb kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes that have continued to challenge security in parts of the state and the wider North-West region.