A purported spokesman for the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram says the group is engaged in direct talks with the government on ending violence in the country's north.

In a statement obtained by VOA , Habu Mohammed, who claims to be a deputy to Boko Haram leader Shekau, says the militant group decided to initiate the peace moves in response to numerous public appeals for peace in the country. The statement was given to VOA in Mecca.

The Nigerian government has not responded to the claim, but senior Nigerian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the talks to VOA.They would not provide additional details.

The Islamic militant group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in Nigeria, including church bombings and the bombing of a United Nations building. The group has threatened international media organizations, including VOA service.

一名自称是尼日利亚伊斯兰激进组织博科圣地发言人的人士说，该组织正在与尼日利亚政府就结束北部地区暴力问题进行直接对话。

在美国之音获得的声明文本中，自称是博科圣地领导人谢考副手的哈布·默哈迈德说，该组织已经决定响应广大民众要求尼日利亚实现和平的呼吁，开始采取争取和平的步骤。这一声明文本是在麦加交给美国之音的。

尼日利亚政府还没有对这一声明做出反应，但不肯透露姓名的尼日利亚一些高层官员向美国之音证实，目前正与博科圣地进行谈判，但他们没有提供任何细节。

博科圣地宣称对尼日利亚的许多袭击事件负责，包括教堂爆炸以及联合国办公处爆炸事件。该组织曾经威胁包括美国之音在内的国际媒体。