THE Vice-Chancellor, Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State, Prof. Mohammed Kyari, says attacks on schools will continue as long as insurgency in the North East is not defeated and accused the Federal Government for fueling the banditry and insurgency due to negotiations with them.

Kyari stated this in his convocation lecture titled, ‘Dialogue with the deaf: Education and insurgency’, marking the fifth-13th convocation of the Adamawa State University, Mubi. He also blamed the Federal Government for indirectly fueling insurgency with ransom payment for the release of abducted school children.

The VC explained that although the government claimed that as a policy, it would not negotiate with terrorists, it had been involved in dialogue with terrorists, as evidenced by the release of abducted school children from Dapchi to Kankara He said, “The government of Nigeria has been dialoguing with Boko Haram. No matter what claims the country is making, it cannot deny not talking to the insurgents through back channels. This is what has led to the release of some of the Chibok and Dapchi, girls.

“One of the reasons why Boko Haram and bandits have continued to attack schools is because of payment of ransoms. A lot of money has been exchanging hands, with Boko Haram, terrorists at the receiving end. “Unfortunately, anytime there’s abduction, something happens, even though the government says it has a policy not to negotiate with terrorists.”

Source: The Punch