PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the offering of an amnesty to members of Boko Haram if they release the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls and lay down their arms in a desperate bid to end the insurgency in the country. Over the last 10 years, Boko Haram has unleashed a reign of terror across Nigeria, killing an estimated 10,000 people and the government has been incapable of dealing with them. On April 14, the terrorist sect took their fight to a new level, abducting 234 pupils from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in Borno State. Stunt by the international outcry that greeted the kidnapping, the Nigerian government has been desperately searching for a way out of the crisis as its hitherto stance of confronting Boko Haram militarily has failed. With the Nigerian military lacking the capacity to deal with the better equipped and better motivated Boko Haram fighters, President Jonathan appears to have opted for a peace deal. Yesterday, Boni Haruna, Nigeria's minister of youth development, revealed that President Jonathan has given approval for the amnesty to be granted as soon as the sect lays down its arms. Speaking on youth development at a Democracy Day event titled A day with young leaders of Nigeria, Mr Haruna said a series of programmes are in the pipeline for members of Boko Haram once they embrace the government’s gesture. Mr Haruna added: “President Goodluck Jonathan has declared an 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 into the amnesty programme. We will through persuasive activities encourage people to shun violence.” On the restiveness in the Niger Delta, the minister said that the government introduced a development programme which gave the youth an opportunity to have a meaningful life. According to him, over 30,000 youths have benefited from the amnesty programme which he recalled was a result of a bitter national security experience. Noting that the effect of the amnesty has been great, he said that beneficiaries have transformed from militants to wealth creators, employers of labour and skilled citizens. President Jonathan himself added that terrorism cannot succeed in any community without support from the local people. President Jonathan said: “Terror succeeds with local support. It will be difficult for terror to thrive where people reject it, so it is a major challenge to all of us. “Military alone cannot stop terror or any radicalism as terrorists have people they respect and they have communities, as well as traditional and opinion leaders they respect. All of us can de-radicalise them.” According to President Jonathan, as part of efforts to ensure youths are re-orientated and not misled, his government is already working out modalities to reintroduce moral education in schools. In the past, Boko Haram has shunned peace and amnesty offers from the government and it is not yet clear if they will accept President Jonathan's latest olive branch.
