THE
Federal Government’s proposed plan to grant amnesty to Boko Haram sect members
may have been rejected by the members.
Federal Government’s proposed plan to grant amnesty to Boko Haram sect members
may have been rejected by the members.
According
to online reports yesterday, the group which was said to have spoken through
its spokesman, Abu Daram, to the Hausa service of the BBC stated that their
reason for not accepting is that they do not recognise democracy as a form of
government.
to online reports yesterday, the group which was said to have spoken through
its spokesman, Abu Daram, to the Hausa service of the BBC stated that their
reason for not accepting is that they do not recognise democracy as a form of
government.
This
group which appears to be a faction opposed to the group which had asked for
amnesty said it does not agree with the constitution of the Federal Government,
stressing that justice could only be found in the Quran.
group which appears to be a faction opposed to the group which had asked for
amnesty said it does not agree with the constitution of the Federal Government,
stressing that justice could only be found in the Quran.
The
Borno State Commisioner for Information and Culture, Mr Inuwa Bwala appealed to
the group to see reason and embrace dialogue with a view to restoring lasting
peace in Borno State.
Borno State Commisioner for Information and Culture, Mr Inuwa Bwala appealed to
the group to see reason and embrace dialogue with a view to restoring lasting
peace in Borno State.
A
credible source however told online site, SaharaReporters, that only the Shura
Council of Jama’atu Ahl-Sunnati Lil Da’awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko
Haram, can decide whether the sect will accept the proposed amnesty being
advanced by Nigeria’s government. The council is led by Imam Abubakar Ibn
Shekau.
credible source however told online site, SaharaReporters, that only the Shura
Council of Jama’atu Ahl-Sunnati Lil Da’awati Wal Jihad, also known as Boko
Haram, can decide whether the sect will accept the proposed amnesty being
advanced by Nigeria’s government. The council is led by Imam Abubakar Ibn
Shekau.
The
source explained that the Shura Council is Boko Haram’s apex council and
highest decision-making organ of the sect. He added that all cells of the
organization are represented in the council.
source explained that the Shura Council is Boko Haram’s apex council and
highest decision-making organ of the sect. He added that all cells of the
organization are represented in the council.
The
source explained that everything about the proposed amnesty would be put to
deliberation and thereafter subjected to the group’s Islamic theology and
jurisprudence.
source explained that everything about the proposed amnesty would be put to
deliberation and thereafter subjected to the group’s Islamic theology and
jurisprudence.
“Shura
Council may surprise Nigerians, because they may agree and may not agree,” said
the source. He added: “It depends on their understanding and Islamic theology
and the jurisprudences they are following. They are above what people think
about them, they are highly ideological and hold their beliefs high. They are
committed Mujahideens and highly committed to their cause. I know this rather
well.”
Council may surprise Nigerians, because they may agree and may not agree,” said
the source. He added: “It depends on their understanding and Islamic theology
and the jurisprudences they are following. They are above what people think
about them, they are highly ideological and hold their beliefs high. They are
committed Mujahideens and highly committed to their cause. I know this rather
well.”
The
source continued: “They are not jokers as others think about them; you need a
serious and holistic approach to contain this ideology. You know the two people
that repositioned the sect were Muhammad Yusuf and Muhammad Alli. They were
both motivated by the 13th Islamic cleric Ibn Taymiyya, who was a staunch
defender of Sunni Islam based on strict adherence to the Qur’an and authentic
Sunna (practices) of the Prophet Muhammad.
source continued: “They are not jokers as others think about them; you need a
serious and holistic approach to contain this ideology. You know the two people
that repositioned the sect were Muhammad Yusuf and Muhammad Alli. They were
both motivated by the 13th Islamic cleric Ibn Taymiyya, who was a staunch
defender of Sunni Islam based on strict adherence to the Qur’an and authentic
Sunna (practices) of the Prophet Muhammad.
Ibn
Taymiyya believed that these two sources contain all the religious and
spiritual guidance necessary for salvation in the hereafter.
Taymiyya believed that these two sources contain all the religious and
spiritual guidance necessary for salvation in the hereafter.
Thus he
rejected the arguments and ideas of both philosophers and Sufis regarding
religious knowledge, spiritual experiences and ritual practices.”
rejected the arguments and ideas of both philosophers and Sufis regarding
religious knowledge, spiritual experiences and ritual practices.”
In
addition, the source disclosed that the Shura Council would act according to
the tenets of their faith. “Ibn Taymiyya was said to have disagreed with many
of his fellow Sunni scholars because of his rejection of the rigidity of the
schools of jurisprudence in Islam.
addition, the source disclosed that the Shura Council would act according to
the tenets of their faith. “Ibn Taymiyya was said to have disagreed with many
of his fellow Sunni scholars because of his rejection of the rigidity of the
schools of jurisprudence in Islam.
He
believed that the four accepted schools of jurisprudence had become stagnant
and sectarian, and also that they were being improperly influenced by aspects
of Greek logic and thought as well as Sufi mysticism.
believed that the four accepted schools of jurisprudence had become stagnant
and sectarian, and also that they were being improperly influenced by aspects
of Greek logic and thought as well as Sufi mysticism.
His
challenge to the leading scholars of the day was to return to an understanding
of Islam in practice and in faith, based solely on the Qur’an and Sunna,”
Saharareporters’ source noted. The same source once disclosed that Boko Haram
had developed a sophisticated leadership structure that includes several
departments headed by highly trained personnel and charged with specific
assignments.
challenge to the leading scholars of the day was to return to an understanding
of Islam in practice and in faith, based solely on the Qur’an and Sunna,”
Saharareporters’ source noted. The same source once disclosed that Boko Haram
had developed a sophisticated leadership structure that includes several
departments headed by highly trained personnel and charged with specific
assignments.
Meanwhile,
according to 247 ureports, the Northern Elders Forum which met with President
Goodluck Jonathan last week had presented a Boko Haram Amnesty Package to the
presidency.
according to 247 ureports, the Northern Elders Forum which met with President
Goodluck Jonathan last week had presented a Boko Haram Amnesty Package to the
presidency.
The package was said to contain a 9-point list
as follows
1. A Ministry of Northern Affairs established like the Niger Delta Ministry.
as follows
1. A Ministry of Northern Affairs established like the Niger Delta Ministry.
2. Each
Boko Haram member who embraces the amnesty will receive an initial cash reward
of N3 million naira to start up a business.
Boko Haram member who embraces the amnesty will receive an initial cash reward
of N3 million naira to start up a business.
3. Boko
Haram members who embrace the amnesty program will be given a house by the
Federal Government.
Haram members who embrace the amnesty program will be given a house by the
Federal Government.
4. Boko
Haram leaders who embraced the amnesty program will be given a cash gift of N20
million naira each and other juicy packages will also follow.
Haram leaders who embraced the amnesty program will be given a cash gift of N20
million naira each and other juicy packages will also follow.
5.
Selected Boko Haram members from each zone will be flown abroad for training, just
as the Niger Delta militants enjoyed.
Selected Boko Haram members from each zone will be flown abroad for training, just
as the Niger Delta militants enjoyed.
6. Each
Boko Haram member will be on a monthly salary of N100,000 for a period of 3
years.
Boko Haram member will be on a monthly salary of N100,000 for a period of 3
years.
7.
Federal Government will rebuild Borno, Yobe and other states they claimed the
JTF destroyed.
Federal Government will rebuild Borno, Yobe and other states they claimed the
JTF destroyed.
8.
Security contract will be given to Boko Haram leaders to secure the North.
Security contract will be given to Boko Haram leaders to secure the North.
9. JTF
will be completely withdrawn from the Northern states, where Boko Haram
operates.
will be completely withdrawn from the Northern states, where Boko Haram
operates.
When
contacted on the veracity of the demands, the Senior Special Assistant to the
president on media, Dr Rueben Abati said he was not aware.
contacted on the veracity of the demands, the Senior Special Assistant to the
president on media, Dr Rueben Abati said he was not aware.
According
to him, the Northern elders are expected to prepare a position paper for the
president and they are yet to do so.
to him, the Northern elders are expected to prepare a position paper for the
president and they are yet to do so.
Abati
said it was not possible that a position paper that has not been submitted will
be found online.
said it was not possible that a position paper that has not been submitted will
be found online.
Source: Tribune
