The Federal Government’s committee on amnesty for the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, plans to reach out to the leader of the group, Sheik Ibrahim Shekau.
Investigations showed that in spite of the sect’s rejection of the amnesty offer by the Federal Government, the government is still leaving the option open.
It was gathered that as part of the moves to pursue the dialogue option, the committee, which would soon be constituted, would consist of respected Islamic leaders.
It was also learnt that its membership would include some indigenes of Yobe and Borno states, which are the operating bases of the sect.
Investigations showed that Islamic scholars and other prominent indigenes of the two states would assist in reaching out to Shekau.
A top government source, who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said, “The Federal Government is not discouraged by the sect’s rejection of amnesty.
“We are going to use the stick and carrot approach. While the Joint Task Force will continue its operations, the committee will reach out to the sect for dialogue.
“We have started a process and we will not abandon it. We will, however, need the cooperation of northern leaders to appeal to those people.”
The Northern Elders’ Forum had a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan last week and advised the President to offer amnesty to the sect members.
Jonathan was reported to have agreed to set up a committee that would work out the amnesty terms for the sect after a meeting with security chiefs.
But the leader of the sect was quoted on Thursday by the AFP news agency as rejecting the offer on behalf of the group.
He was quoted as saying in a recorded audio message in Hausa, “Surprisingly, the Nigerian government is talking about granting amnesty. What wrong have we done? On the contrary, it is we that should grant you (a) pardon.”
But it was gathered that in spite of the sect’s rejection of the amnesty, the government would go ahead with its decision to set up the committee.
It was also gathered that apart from the Northern Elders’ Forum, other northern groups such as the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Northern Governors’ Forum are expected to join in the peace moves.
Confirming this, a member of the NEF, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, told one of our correspondents that the forum was prepared to play any role given to it in order to ensure peace.
Asked if the NEF would take up the challenge of reaching out to Shekau, he said, “It depends on how the committee is formulated. I think the government is working very hard to set up this committee, they have not finished.
“I know members of the committee will do this. The northern elders and other groups will join the main committee; there may be sub-committees which will be given various roles with the sole objective of ending the crisis.
“I don’t see our group being singled out; we will be called to make our contributions like every other group.”
Meanwhile, the Jamaatu Nasril Islam on Friday appealed to the Federal Government not to be distracted from its amnesty plan for the insurgent group, Boko Haram.
Its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu, said in Kaduna at a news briefing that the government should ignore those bent on distracting it from pursuing the path of peace and reconciliation.
He condemned the negative campaign launched by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, against the amnesty plan, saying it was divisive and selfish.
“We appeal to the Federal Government to proceed with its plans for amnesty as a potent way of restoring peace to Nigeria without minding any distractive tendencies,” he said.
The JNI secretary general described the Boko Haram insurgency as “an accident beyond religion, which affects every Nigerian directly or indirectly and upon which no passing of buck can be logical.”
He said the attack by the insurgents had killed more Muslims than Christians and had disrupted the livelihood of millions of others.
Aliyu listed some high profile casualties of the insurgents as the Shehu of Borno, the Emir of Fika, the Emir of Kano and hundreds of Muslim clerics, adding that the CAN president’s comments were misplaced.
He appealed to well meaning Nigerians to support the government to restore peace and normalcy to areas affected by the insurgency.
He called on Muslims not to be provoked by the smear campaign and to pray continuously for peace and tranquillity in the country.
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That's is a great plan now I believe that our northern leaders knows what is right. And pray they should not give up in the pursuied of the amnesty because the crisis really destroy our contry so much... My fellow Nigerians let's keep praying and also stay away from any evil act
ReplyDeleteGod will punish this Aliyu man. If Muslims decide to kill and extinguish themselves fine and good. not wen they are bombing churches and claiming they want to Islamise the entire country. the Muslims that have been killed are those they have personal axe to grind with. Good for nothing elites blowing hot and cold. it GEJ I blame for all these nonsense.
ReplyDeleteThe government have taken the right step i believe but, this JNI secretary should stop saying that more muslims were killed than christians.Where did he get his figures from? For crying out loud if he has nothing to say, he should PLS say nothing. Concerning the statement by the CAN president, can you compare that with the evil demonic coated so call sermons of Gumi? Or is that when we keep quite you take us for a ride? He should stop blabbing nonsense oh, the state of the nation is already overheated.
ReplyDeleteI tink GEJ is d most foolish n useless president dis con3 has eva produced. Hw cn he grant amnesty 2 terrorists, pple who once ask him convert 2 muslim. Ppl who ar only interestd in turnin d nation 2 an islamic state. Dis is d 1st tym a whole government is surrenderin 2 some terrorist. As far as am concern islam is terrorism weda u lyk it or nt. Y didnt dey come out wen Obasanjo was dia? Dey wud hav used their tongues 2 lick their ass. Let me also say dis dat, OPC n MOSSAB wil soon comeout n useless jonathan shud b ready 2 grant dem d amnesty as wel. USELESS PRESIDENT!!!
ReplyDeleteJonathan don suffer for unna hand though I no blame you. The poor mass in the north should hold IBB, ABDULSAM, SHAGRI, BUHARI, GOWON especially IBB responsible not Jonathan for all their problems. They will be living in a fools paradise if they think that the north has monopoly of power or are born to rule the rest of the country. If with all this boko haram and all the rest result to civil war the north will not remain the same. Why is the north causing problems for Jonathan administration? Answer it is only an illiterate that cannot read the hand writing on the wall that Boko Haram is sponsored
ReplyDeleteThe truth is that the northern leaders know who Boko Harams are all this while. From the look of things it is clear that they have been sympathizing with the Boko Harams unlike our Eastern governors who will roll out armored cars for MASSOB Members.
ReplyDeleteHow many times have our Eastern leaders shown sympathy with MASSOB? Brother hate brother and sister hate sister in Igbo land. May God help us.
why armnesty for boko haram? They should leave them let them continue to kill themselves there in the north untill no one is left behind, but they should not come to the southwest o. cos nah Ogun go kill them o with the useless president that we have.....that want to grant armnesty to terrorist.
ReplyDeletewhy armnesty for boko haram? They should leave them let them continue to kill themselves there in the north untill no one is left behind, but they should not come to the southwest o. cos nah Ogun go kill them o with the useless president that we have.....that want to grant armnesty to terrorist.
ReplyDeletewhy armnesty for boko haram? They should leave them let them continue to kill themselves there in the north untill no one is left behind, but they should not come to the southwest o. cos nah Ogun go kill them o with the useless president that we have.....that want to grant armnesty to terrorist.
ReplyDeletewhy armnesty for boko haram? They should leave them let them continue to kill themselves there in the north untill no one is left behind, but they should not come to the southwest o. cos nah Ogun go kill them o with the useless president that we have.....that want to grant armnesty to terrorist.
ReplyDelete