Ahmad Salkida, the self-exiled Nigerian journalist, widely reported to have an unfettered access to Boko Haram, has described as questionable, claims by Australian negotiator, Dr. Steven Davis, of having links with the insurgent group. The Borno State-born journalist who reportedly fled to the United Arab Emirates over allegations that he was a Boko Haram sympathiser stated that Davis should explain to Nigerians how he “came across” the insurgent group.Davis had named the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, and a former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sherrif, among the sponsors of Boko Haram. But both Ihejirika and Sherrif have denied the allegations.
Writing on Twitter, Salkida, who now works as an import and export agent of agricultural products and textile materials from his base in Dubai, challenged the Boko Haram leadership to speak up on Davis’ alleged relationship with them.
Lamenting that it was worrisome that many people –including foreigners – are now claiming to be “experts,” with a view to profiting from the insurgency, Salkida challenged Davis to explain the origin of his links with the extremist group.
“I wish Nigeria the peace we all deserve. I wish and pray our children will have a place to call home and feel at home. But why is everyone turning into an expert only when Boko Haram became the big story? The experts here now do the sentencing and acquittal.
“How did Davis come across Boko Haram? What is the origin of his links? I thought until now they were faceless? Or is there a Boko Haram Embassy in Australia?
“Anybody that puts me on a list with Davis is ignorant of my decade-long work on the crisis in the North East region. I wish I was not on such a list. Let Boko Haram come out to say who they are talking to like they did in early 2012,” Salkida stated in a series of tweets
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