THERE
are fears in the North that hardliners in the Boko Haram Islamic sect may be
influenced by al-Qaeda to frustrate the planned Federal Government amnesty,
just as anxiety is mounting over whether the amnesty will also cover the Ansaru
Islam insurgents who operate across Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger Republic.
are fears in the North that hardliners in the Boko Haram Islamic sect may be
influenced by al-Qaeda to frustrate the planned Federal Government amnesty,
just as anxiety is mounting over whether the amnesty will also cover the Ansaru
Islam insurgents who operate across Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger Republic.
Northern
leaders have in the past 48 hours been making contacts on how to ensure that
the rampaging sect does not disgrace them by refusing to cease hostilities even
after the amnesty.
leaders have in the past 48 hours been making contacts on how to ensure that
the rampaging sect does not disgrace them by refusing to cease hostilities even
after the amnesty.
Chats
by Saturday Tribune with some key leaders from the North on Friday confirmed
that the region is anxious for the insurgents to accept the offer, when it is
eventually made, as refusing it may further weaken the zone and give the
president further political capital in the run-up to the 2015 election.
by Saturday Tribune with some key leaders from the North on Friday confirmed
that the region is anxious for the insurgents to accept the offer, when it is
eventually made, as refusing it may further weaken the zone and give the
president further political capital in the run-up to the 2015 election.
A
leader from Kano, who spoke in confidence, noted: “We are eager and very
optimistic that the militants will accept. We are on trial with this amnesty,
and our (hope) is that the sect will listen to us and not their alleged
affiliates in al-Qaeda.”
leader from Kano, who spoke in confidence, noted: “We are eager and very
optimistic that the militants will accept. We are on trial with this amnesty,
and our (hope) is that the sect will listen to us and not their alleged
affiliates in al-Qaeda.”
According
to him, many leaders who met with President Goodluck Jonathan are now worried
about the international dimension to the crisis, adding, “we are afraid of a
possibility of the sect listening to their allies outside the country.”
to him, many leaders who met with President Goodluck Jonathan are now worried
about the international dimension to the crisis, adding, “we are afraid of a
possibility of the sect listening to their allies outside the country.”
He said
further: “We pray they will see the bloodletting and save our region. We are
also concerned that if Ansaru Islam continues attacks on security forces, the
situation in the North won’t be any better even if the amnesty is implemented.”
further: “We pray they will see the bloodletting and save our region. We are
also concerned that if Ansaru Islam continues attacks on security forces, the
situation in the North won’t be any better even if the amnesty is implemented.”
While
speaking with Saturday Tribune, another Young Turk from Katsina State but based
in Kaduna, noted: “There are two sides to it. The sect must listen to our
elders and rescue our region. Secondly, and this is the view of many of us with
intellectual bent, failure to accept amnesty may put some northern big wigs in
trouble.
speaking with Saturday Tribune, another Young Turk from Katsina State but based
in Kaduna, noted: “There are two sides to it. The sect must listen to our
elders and rescue our region. Secondly, and this is the view of many of us with
intellectual bent, failure to accept amnesty may put some northern big wigs in
trouble.
He
confirmed the general anxiety in the North over the amnesty, saying that many
are currently praying that the amnesty offer will become a reality.
confirmed the general anxiety in the North over the amnesty, saying that many
are currently praying that the amnesty offer will become a reality.
However,
the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has alleged that the Presidency is
merely tricking the North with the offer of amnesty, saying that “the political
Boko Haram, which is the most virulent, is linked with the ruling party.”
the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has alleged that the Presidency is
merely tricking the North with the offer of amnesty, saying that “the political
Boko Haram, which is the most virulent, is linked with the ruling party.”
Speaking
with the Saturday Tribune, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi
Fashakin, said: “The prayer in the North today is that these killings stop. But
we pray that political Boko Haram will stop once this amnesty is on stream.”
with the Saturday Tribune, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi
Fashakin, said: “The prayer in the North today is that these killings stop. But
we pray that political Boko Haram will stop once this amnesty is on stream.”
Meanwhile,
The Presidency has declared that no package has been adopted yet by the Federal
Government for the amnesty, contrary to reports being peddled in the social
media.
The Presidency has declared that no package has been adopted yet by the Federal
Government for the amnesty, contrary to reports being peddled in the social
media.
Presidential
spokesman, Rueben Abati, said on the African Independent Television yesterday
that the Amnesty Committee would work out all operational details and submit
report to the president.
spokesman, Rueben Abati, said on the African Independent Television yesterday
that the Amnesty Committee would work out all operational details and submit
report to the president.
Source:
Tribune
Tribune