Gunmen Kidnap 92 –Year Old Shettima Monguno in Maiduguri..But Why?

By Danlami Nmodu
Reports from Maiduguri said 92-yearold elder statesman Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno has been kidnapped by gunmen.The gunmen took him away as he stepped out of a Mosque after his Jumaat Prayers today.
The gun men suspected to be Boko Haram were also reported to have said they would only release him if all their members in detention are released.
But the kidnap of Monguno appears quite strange .As one of the elder statesmen, he has been vocal in urging the federal government to withdraw the military from the streets and grant amnesty to Boko Haram.So why would Boko Haram go for a man like that?
During President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Borno, Prof Nur Alkali and Shettima were the elders who spoke vehemently about the need to withdraw the military and ensure dialogue
Prof. Nur Alkali, reportedly r lamented the untold hardship caused the people of the state by the activities of the sect.
”There is no alternative to dialogue. And since they talked about peace, we should work towards it, though it may take some time to achieve.
“The use of violence brings more violence. The minimum expectation is pardon, rehabilitation. Mr. President is expected to announce this before leaving Borno.”
Borno State, PDP Chairman Alhaji Baba Basharu, advocated for removal of roadblocks and sandbags from the streets of Maiduguri.
“The building of bunkers on every street in Borno is lamentable. It does not exist even in war torn countries,” he said.
Reports then quoted Shettima Ali Monguno as having said on the occasion that every steps must be taken to avert disintegration of Nigeria.He urged Jonathan to embrace dialogue.
Recently , however, it was the JTF that warned that the sect might begin kidnapping soon.It was a disturbing signal given the recent fate of some French men who were kidnapped by the sect .Seven of the French victims were released to Camerounian authorities .
But one security expert told Newsdiaryonline that this kidnap is a manifestation of the AlQaeda –like nature of the sect.Nobody should doubt that they are operating like AlQaeda anymore, the expert said.But who are we to believe?
It is curiouser and curiouser that the sect is transforming into a kidnap- mode at a time the Northern establishment has succeeded in convincing the federal government to grant the group amnesty.
Does it mean that the northern establishment has not been in touch as yet with the top Boko Haram leaders? Why this change of tactics at this crucial time and what does it portend for the amnesty initiative? Or is there another group determined to rubbish the amnesty programme before it kicks off? Only time will tell.