The
Presidency has launched a desperate mission to salvage its shattered
amnesty-for-Boko Haram programme.
Presidency has launched a desperate mission to salvage its shattered
amnesty-for-Boko Haram programme.
The
fundamentalist sect rejected yesterday the planned clemency for its members,
saying it should be the one to pardon the government.
fundamentalist sect rejected yesterday the planned clemency for its members,
saying it should be the one to pardon the government.
Some
prominent Northern elders believed to be close to Boko Haram have been enlisted
to prevail on the sect to embrace peace.
prominent Northern elders believed to be close to Boko Haram have been enlisted
to prevail on the sect to embrace peace.
But a
rights activist, Comrade Shehu Sani, who once facilitated talks with Boko
Haram, said the rejection of amnesty by the sect should be expected because the
Federal Government failed to do its homework well.
rights activist, Comrade Shehu Sani, who once facilitated talks with Boko
Haram, said the rejection of amnesty by the sect should be expected because the
Federal Government failed to do its homework well.
Also, a
former military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, said
dialogue with the sect ought to come first before amnesty.
former military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, said
dialogue with the sect ought to come first before amnesty.
To him,
the rejection is not surprising.
the rejection is not surprising.
After a
parley with all service chiefs last week, President Goodluck Jonathan raised a
committee to harness the various requests for amnesty for the sect.
parley with all service chiefs last week, President Goodluck Jonathan raised a
committee to harness the various requests for amnesty for the sect.
The
committee was given two weeks to come up with recommendations on the
possibility of granting the militants pardon.
committee was given two weeks to come up with recommendations on the
possibility of granting the militants pardon.
But
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said the group has not committed any crime to
deserve clemency.
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said the group has not committed any crime to
deserve clemency.
In an
audio statement, Shekau said his group had “not committed any wrong to deserve
amnesty”.
audio statement, Shekau said his group had “not committed any wrong to deserve
amnesty”.
“Surprisingly,
the Nigerian government is talking about granting us amnesty. What wrong have
we done? On the contrary, it is we that should grant you pardon,” Shekau was
quoted as saying by AFP.
the Nigerian government is talking about granting us amnesty. What wrong have
we done? On the contrary, it is we that should grant you pardon,” Shekau was
quoted as saying by AFP.
The
rejection was made in an audio recording in Hausa language, which was
distributed by email in a manner consistent with the previous messages released
by Boko Haram.
rejection was made in an audio recording in Hausa language, which was
distributed by email in a manner consistent with the previous messages released
by Boko Haram.
The
voice was said to be similar to that of previous Shekau statements.
voice was said to be similar to that of previous Shekau statements.
The
group says its members are fighting to create an Islamic state in the North
where churches and many public places have been bombed. More than 1000 people
have been killed.
group says its members are fighting to create an Islamic state in the North
where churches and many public places have been bombed. More than 1000 people
have been killed.
According
to the statement, Shekau said it was the government that was committing
atrocities against muslims.
to the statement, Shekau said it was the government that was committing
atrocities against muslims.
At the
forefront of the clamour for pardon for the sect are the Sultan of Sokoto,
Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Alhaji Maitama Sule-led Northern Elders’s Forum
(NEF) and eminent Nigerians.
forefront of the clamour for pardon for the sect are the Sultan of Sokoto,
Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Alhaji Maitama Sule-led Northern Elders’s Forum
(NEF) and eminent Nigerians.
They
include Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) National Learder Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,
who backed the idea with a condition that those with blood on their hands
should face justice and the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change
(CPC) in the 2011 presidential election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
include Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) National Learder Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,
who backed the idea with a condition that those with blood on their hands
should face justice and the candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change
(CPC) in the 2011 presidential election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
Gen.
Buhari urged Nigerians to support amnesty if it will bring peace.
Buhari urged Nigerians to support amnesty if it will bring peace.
The
violence continued yesterday; with unknown gunmen killing four policemen in
Babangida, headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.
violence continued yesterday; with unknown gunmen killing four policemen in
Babangida, headquarters of Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The
killings, which took place near the slain officers’ station, was confirmed by
the State Police Commissioner Sanusi Rufai.
killings, which took place near the slain officers’ station, was confirmed by
the State Police Commissioner Sanusi Rufai.
He said
the gang also lost five of their members in the gun duel that ensued.
the gang also lost five of their members in the gun duel that ensued.
Rufai
told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the policemen were attacked as they
took guard behind the sand-bags which provided barriers at the entrance of the
station.
told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the policemen were attacked as they
took guard behind the sand-bags which provided barriers at the entrance of the
station.
The
gunmen, who failed in their plan to raze the station, carted away some rifles,
Rufai said.
gunmen, who failed in their plan to raze the station, carted away some rifles,
Rufai said.
He
said: “The gunmen came around midnight, trying to enter the police station with
intent to burn it down, but were resisted by the police.
said: “The gunmen came around midnight, trying to enter the police station with
intent to burn it down, but were resisted by the police.
“We lost
four policemen and their rifles were carted away but the station was
protected,” Rufai said.
four policemen and their rifles were carted away but the station was
protected,” Rufai said.
According
to sources, there has been anxiety in the Presidency and security circles since
the position of the sect was made known.
to sources, there has been anxiety in the Presidency and security circles since
the position of the sect was made known.
It was
gathered that the government got to know of Boko Haram stand on Wednesday
night.
gathered that the government got to know of Boko Haram stand on Wednesday
night.
A
source said: “No one is happy in the Presidency and in the security agencies
because the decision of Boko Haram leaders is a setback.
source said: “No one is happy in the Presidency and in the security agencies
because the decision of Boko Haram leaders is a setback.
“That
is why everyone is wearing somber look because President Goodluck Jonathan and
his security chiefs have been working round the clock to make the amnesty work.
is why everyone is wearing somber look because President Goodluck Jonathan and
his security chiefs have been working round the clock to make the amnesty work.
“The
government is already exploring options to salvage the situation, including
liaison with Northern elders who could help persuade Boko Haram leaders to open
up talks with the government.”
government is already exploring options to salvage the situation, including
liaison with Northern elders who could help persuade Boko Haram leaders to open
up talks with the government.”
Asked
why the Boko Haram leaders rejected amnesty, the source added: “I think they
have reservations about the process. There was a lot of celebration in the
media before the thing took off.”
why the Boko Haram leaders rejected amnesty, the source added: “I think they
have reservations about the process. There was a lot of celebration in the
media before the thing took off.”
In
Sani’s view, the rejection should have been expected because the Federal
Government failed to do its homework well.
Sani’s view, the rejection should have been expected because the Federal
Government failed to do its homework well.
He also
accused the government of focusing on a monetised amnesty instead of a genuine
type.
accused the government of focusing on a monetised amnesty instead of a genuine
type.
Sani
said: “Well, I am not surprised. In fact, it should be expected that they (Boko
Haram leaders) should reject it because the government has put the horse before
the cart.
said: “Well, I am not surprised. In fact, it should be expected that they (Boko
Haram leaders) should reject it because the government has put the horse before
the cart.
“First
and foremost, the whole idea of amnesty is a charade. The concept brought by
Northern elders is an amnesty modelled along the line of Niger Delta and it is
attached to financial commitment from the side of the state. They wanted to buy
peace at a heavy amount of money just the way it is being brought about in the
Niger Delta
and foremost, the whole idea of amnesty is a charade. The concept brought by
Northern elders is an amnesty modelled along the line of Niger Delta and it is
attached to financial commitment from the side of the state. They wanted to buy
peace at a heavy amount of money just the way it is being brought about in the
Niger Delta
“The
committee being set up by the government would naturally be rejected by Boko
Haram because it was not constituted after a consultation with the leaders of
the sect.
committee being set up by the government would naturally be rejected by Boko
Haram because it was not constituted after a consultation with the leaders of
the sect.
“The
whole idea is about extracting billions of naira to be shared to insurgents and
also giving out contracts, using the names of Boko Haram leaders.
whole idea is about extracting billions of naira to be shared to insurgents and
also giving out contracts, using the names of Boko Haram leaders.
“They
simply rejected being used by some persons who want to profit from the amnesty
deal.
simply rejected being used by some persons who want to profit from the amnesty
deal.
“The
way forward is for the government to go back to Dr. Ahmed Datti Ahmed peace
talk which was facilitated by a journalist, Ahmad Salkida of which the group
acknowledged and endorsed at that very time.
way forward is for the government to go back to Dr. Ahmed Datti Ahmed peace
talk which was facilitated by a journalist, Ahmad Salkida of which the group
acknowledged and endorsed at that very time.
“The
outcome of that talk should then be preceded by a committee, which will have
the input of the sect and also be recognised by the government.
outcome of that talk should then be preceded by a committee, which will have
the input of the sect and also be recognised by the government.
“The next
stage will then be a six to eight or nine-month ceasefire, which will ensure
justice for all the victims of Boko Haram.
stage will then be a six to eight or nine-month ceasefire, which will ensure
justice for all the victims of Boko Haram.
“So,
any thought of using tax payers’ money to back up a fraudulent amnesty is an
exercise in futility.”
any thought of using tax payers’ money to back up a fraudulent amnesty is an
exercise in futility.”
Col.
Umar said dialogue ought to have come first before the Federal Government
rushed into the amnesty offer.
Umar said dialogue ought to have come first before the Federal Government
rushed into the amnesty offer.
He said
through dialogue, the government ought to have allowed the people to
identify themselves, present their demands, consider the demands and open
talks with the victims of Boko Haram insurgency whether they are ready to
forgive or not.
through dialogue, the government ought to have allowed the people to
identify themselves, present their demands, consider the demands and open
talks with the victims of Boko Haram insurgency whether they are ready to
forgive or not.
Col.
Umar said: “Well, I have all been skeptical about this amnesty issue. I align
myself with the fact that there should be dialogue between the government and
Boko Haram so that we will know what the insurgents want before we jump into
amnesty.
Umar said: “Well, I have all been skeptical about this amnesty issue. I align
myself with the fact that there should be dialogue between the government and
Boko Haram so that we will know what the insurgents want before we jump into
amnesty.
“Without
dialogue, we will not know whether they are ready for ceasefire or not. So, we
need to create room for them to identify themselves, what their demands are and
discuss with the Federal Government whether the government can meet these
demands or not.
dialogue, we will not know whether they are ready for ceasefire or not. So, we
need to create room for them to identify themselves, what their demands are and
discuss with the Federal Government whether the government can meet these
demands or not.
“Also,
in considering amnesty, the Federal Government must take into account that
there are victims that have been killed, maimed and those that lost their
property. We need to know whether the families of those killed and other
victims are ready to forgive or not. President Goodluck Jonathan does not have
the power to forgive, which is the whole essence of amnesty. There are victims
who must be ready to forgive before we can talk of amnesty.
in considering amnesty, the Federal Government must take into account that
there are victims that have been killed, maimed and those that lost their
property. We need to know whether the families of those killed and other
victims are ready to forgive or not. President Goodluck Jonathan does not have
the power to forgive, which is the whole essence of amnesty. There are victims
who must be ready to forgive before we can talk of amnesty.
“To be
honest, I am not surprised that they (Boko Haram leaders) have come out to
reject amnesty. This is the first time the nation must come together or be
united to address this insurgency.”
honest, I am not surprised that they (Boko Haram leaders) have come out to
reject amnesty. This is the first time the nation must come together or be
united to address this insurgency.”
Source: The Nation
