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Nigeria: Govt and Boko Haram begin mediated talks
Jonathan had previously drawn fire for treating Boko Haram as a purely security matter, rather than as a problem requiring a political solution that would address northern grievances.
The military’s efforts to stem the sect’s insurgency have had mixed results in the past, with human rights groups saying heavy-handed tactics have worsened resentment of authorities.
But more recently there have been arrests of senior figures and some have died in clashes with security forces, security sources say. They include Abu Qaqa, Nigeria’s secret service have said, although a man claiming to be him phoned journalists to say it was another senior figure.
The security services paraded five suspected members of Boko Haram on Wednesday before the press, who they said were behind the kidnapping of a Briton and Italian in May, adding that the ringleader had died in custody.
The group has not managed to launch a widescale, coordinated attack since one in Kano that killed 186 people in January, reverting to crude bomb attacks and drive by shootings.
“I wouldn’t say the back has been broken on Boko Haram but certainly these high profile arrests and deaths will have weakened its position,” a foreign security expert in Abuja said.
“The most telling sign is that we haven’t seen the more sophisticated, co-ordinated attacks for some time.”
The group’s factional nature means it will be difficult to negotiate any ceasefire deal with all elements.
