Uba Ahmed – Extend amnesty to Boko Haram Sect members

A human rights activist, Uba Ahmed based in Kaduna has urged the federal government to grant amnesty to members of the Boko Haram religious sect terrorizing some states in the north. This comes just as President Goodluck Jonathan said on Wednesday that deadly bomb attacks on the night of his inauguration were no way linked to his election.

The president who spoke to reporters in the United States of America said, “We have these challenges but it has nothing to do with election. Nobody claimed responsibility for the attacks. These are the work of terrorists and not the result of ethnic or religious divides in the country which have been a source of friction.” According to Mr Ahmed, granting amnesty similar to that of the Niger Delta militants in 2009 would go a long way to stop the incessant bombings in Borno, Bauchi and some other states in the north.

“These Boko Haram members are human beings and they live in our midst. They have parents and relations and their bombs could also affect their brothers and sisters one day. Therefore, let government bring them together to know their grievance, and if they are genuine, then government can address them,” he said.

While maintaining that the activities of Boko Haram is ungodly and not in line with the teachings of Islam, he called on the security agencies in the state to rise to the occasion by ensuring that the frequent bombings which have claimed so many lives are contained.

“The Niger Delta militants gave reasons for their attack on oil installations and expatriates due to alleged marginalisation and neglecting of the region by the federal government. But up till now, the Boko Haram members have not told Nigerians why they are killing innocent people,” Mr Ahmed said.

He emphasised that such ugly menace if unchecked, could plunge the entire country into untold disaster and chaos, adding that social and economic activities in the affected states have already been affected due to the state of insecurity.

He blamed the traditional rulers and religious bodies for inciting their subjects and adherents through their preaching even when most of them are ignorant of what they are doing. According to him, if the traditional and religious leaders are playing their roles of maintaining peace in their domains, there could have been nothing like Boko Haram.