No amnesty for Boko Haram militants- Presidency

Dr Reuben Abati

Nigeria Presidency said on Saturday that contrary to recent reports, President Goodluck Jonathan has not declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram militant sect.

Reuben Abati, special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity told reporters at the Presidential Villa that the claim that President Jonathan had decided to grant amnesty to members of Boko Haram who agreed to abandon the insurgent group is false.

Boni Haruna, the Minister of Youth Development had at an event organised to mark the Democracy Day in Abuja last Thursday said the federal government will grant amnesty to members of the insurgent group who agree to abandon their violent ways.

The Minister consequently on behalf of the Federal Government, called on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key-in to amnesty programme.”

However, the Presidential spokesperson said while the government is not offering members of the insurgent group amnesty, the government had lined up series of integration programmes for the members of Boko Haram that are willing to surrender their arms and embrace peace.

While making reference to the Democracy Day nationwide broadcast by the President, Abati said the President never used the term amnesty.

“In that speech, if you look at it, I don’t think the President used amnesty, instead he spoke about those who are willing to renounce terrorism; those who are willing to embrace peace, opportunities have been created for them through the fact-finding committee, through the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolutions of Conflict in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. So I will refer you basically to the speech by the President.”