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Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, is not as bad as he is being portrayed.
Aisha Wakil, popularly known as “Mama Boko Haram”, said this on Tuesday on Focus Nigeria, a live programme on AIT.
Wakil who claims to be in contact with all the Boko Haram factions, said Shekau is ready want to stop the insurgency but if those behind him want him to stop. She however regretted that the insurgency has continued because some wealthy individuals and politicians are behind them.
“When I speak to Shekau, he tells me that he is ready to come out if those behind him want him to”, Wakil said, adding that Shekau, a very respectful person, wants peace.
She said Shekau gave her the nickname “Mother of Peace”.
“People portray him as a bad person but I don’t see him that way”, he said.
She said the various factional leaders have confided in her that politicians were playing a vital role in ensuring that the insurgency does not stop.
“Mama Boko Haram” also said the terrorist sect does not like the name Boko Haram
“They told me they don’t like the name Boko Haram, that they are Jamatu.
She also confirmed that the Albanwi faction led by son of slain founding leader, Yusuf Mohammed, were responsible for the abduction of the Dapchi girls.
According to her, the insurgencts are ready to come out if government is ready to negotiate and accept them.
Last month, President Muhammadu Buhari had said that his government is ready to give amnesty to repentant Boko Haram members.