FG Announces Amnesty For Boko Haram Insurgents

by Akan Ido
The Federal Government through the minister of youth development, Boni Haruna announced amnesty for members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The minister made this public at an event which took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja to mark the Democracy Day.

The event was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Head of Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Tambuwal and a host of others.

 Haruna said the amnesty programme is part of the administration’s youth-friendly programmes and policies.
He disclosed that a series of programmes have been lined up so as to give the insurgents an avenue to embrace peace urging them to accept the FG’s gesture.

The minister said, “President Goodluck Jonathan has also declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect.

“Series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace.

“Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Government, to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key to amnesty programme.”

He noted the success of the Amnesty Programme initiated by the Yar’Adua administration to accommodate Niger Delta militants declaring that about 30,000 youths have so far benefited from the programme.

Jonathan, while answering questions from youths who attended the programme, stressed the need for people who are respected by the insurgents to join hands with government to persuade them to desist.

He said, “Terror succeeds with local support. It will be difficult for terror to thrive where people reject it. It is a major challenge to all of us.

“Military alone cannot stop terror or any radicalism. Terrorists have people they respect, they have community, traditional and opinion leaders they respect. All of us can deradicalise them.

“We will through persuasive activities encourage people to shun violence.”
President Jonathan had last year in Damaturu, Yobe foreclosed the option of giving amnesty to Boko Haram insurgents describing them as “ghosts”.

Jonathan said this in March last year during a town hall meeting in the Yobe capital. “You cannot declare amnesty for ghosts. Boko Haram still operates like ghosts. So, you can’t talk about amnesty for Boko Haram now until you see the people you are discussing with,” he said.

He made a distinction between the Boko Haram and Niger Delta militants who were before now granted amnesty saying the latter can be approached and are identifiable.

“When you call the Niger Delta militants, they will come; but nobody has agreed that he is Boko Haram; no one has come forward. If amnesty can solve the situation, then, no problem. But nobody has come forward to make himself visible,” the president maintained.

Today’s event in Abuja was, however, nearly marred by interruption in power supply.
The incident occurred at the time Jonathan mounted the podium to present a compendium of his administration’s achievements in the last one year.

Jonathan remained standing in front of the participants with his security aides for about 15 minutes while the power failure caused by the generating set being used lasted.

He was at the verge of returning to his seat to give organisers time to rectify the fault when power was finally restored.