Northern leaders to meet Boko Haram leader

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.

Saturday PUNCH’s investigation 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.