Goodluck Bows To Pressure ,Grants Boko Haram Amnesty

A Major development occurred yesterday in the amnesty-for-Boko Haram controversy.

A National Security Council committee was set up to consider the various requests for amnesty for the fundamentalist sect whose activities have cost the nation so much in lives and property.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, and many Northern elders have pushed for amnesty for the group. Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu also advocated amnesty – with justice – for the group, saying those with blood on their hands should face the law.

But the Federal Government insists it cannot grant amnesty to ghosts, saying Boko Haram leaders should remove their masks and come out into the open.

A source, who does not want his name in print because he is not authorised to speak on the issue, said that the government set up the committee during a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and security chiefs.

According to him, the committee, whose members were not disclosed, have two weeks to recommend to the government the feasibility of granting or not granting the amnesty and what the modalities should be – if it must be granted.

The committee, the source said, is to work directly with the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). Its report is to be submitted to the President when the Security Council meets in two weeks time.

The source said: “What was discussed was the issue of Boko Haram because so many groups are now calling for amnesty for Boko Haram. In response to the clamour, the government must show that it is listening to the people.”

“This security council meeting was called on the issue. A committee has been set up to report back in two weeks. It is to consider all the requests, the feasibility and recommend modalities for granting the amnesty.

“The committee will work hand in hand with the NSA. The Security Council will meet in two weeks to consider the recommendations of the committee.”

“The President, when he visited Yobe and Borno, did not say government will not grant amnesty. What he demanded is that those members of Boko Haram should come forward, if they are interested in any deal. The issue of Boko Haram is very complex and also the issue of amnesty.”

At the end of the meeting, the security chiefs declined comments on their discussion.

At the meeting, which started around 12 noon, were Minister of Interior Abba Moro and Minister of State for Defence Olusola Obada.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim were also at the meeting.

Among the security chiefs at the meeting were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Lt.-Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), the Director General of State Security Service (SSS) and the NIA boss.

Also at the meeting was Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-Gen. Sani Audu, Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, also attended the meeting.

Parrying questions from State House correspondents, Admiral Ibrahim said: “Nigerians can now sleep with their eyes completely closed.”

Abubakar said: “The meeting is still on. NSA will come and brief you.”

But speaking on the matter at the end of the meeting, one of the ministers said that the meeting was to ameliorate the insecurity situation in the country.

She said: “The meeting is just on what we can do with the spate of insecurity, to ensure that it is brought to absolute minimum.”

On whether amnesty for Boko Haram members was discussed, she said: “Some issues to ameliorate the situation were discussed.”

According to Section 1 of the Third Schedule to 1999 Constitution, members of the Security Council are the President, the Vice-President, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of Interior, Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and “such other persons the President may in his discretion appoint.

“The council shall have power to advise the President on matters relating to public security, including matters relating to any organisation or agency established by law for ensuring the security of the Federation.”