Northern-born journalist widely reported
to have strong ties with the Boko Haram sect, Ahmad Salkida, has said
that he is still readily available to render his services to bring an
end to the insurgency in the country.
Salkida was said to be close to the late Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf, as well as many top shots of the group.
He had since fled to the United Arab
Emirates on account of an alleged threat to his life over what he
described as his “professional closeness” to the insurgents.
“My first-rate exclusive reports on the
insurgency in northern Nigeria served by the Boko Haram militant group
unsettled a section of the local authorities. This consequently led to
threats to my life. I now live with my family and work part-time in the
United Arab Emirates,” a post on his LinkedIn page read.
But, writing on Twitter, Salkida stated
that despite being “gagged for doing his work dutifully and lawfully,”
he is still willing to make use of his “rare” working relationship with
members of the sect to restore peace to northern Nigeria.
According to him, terrorism as seen today
in the country is a tactic used by “a few extremists” against an
overwhelmingly peaceful population.
“There is nothing wrong in having
professional access to insurgents as long as it is used to save lives
and promote peaceful co-existence. I will forever be readily available
to use my rare professional access and knowledge to end this madness and
senseless violence in Nigeria.
“Speculations should not becloud the fact
that there are many well-meaning patriots, including myself, that are
working quietly day and night for peace. Nigeria is our country. We have
no other country to call our own. So let’s get it right. I love
Nigeria, I cherish its unity. I will do anything legitimately to make it
better than it is, if I can,” he wrote on his Twitter feed.
