We ‘re yet to decide on amnesty – Boko Haram


Islamic sect, Boko Haram has said that the Shura Council, the highest decision-making organ of the sect led by Imam Abubakar Ibn Shekau, which has the power to decide whether the sect will accept the offer of amnesty being planned by the Federal Government is yet to take a decision on the offer even as another faction of the sect has publicly rejected the amnesty saying the group did not ask for it.

The Federal Government last week set up a committee to look at the feasibility or otherwise of granting amnesty to the sect members in a bid to put an end to the spate of violence in the North.

Spokesman of a faction of the sect, Abu Dardam, however, spoke on the Hausa service of the BBC that the group was rejecting the offer of amnesty by the government. The group also said that it will not accept the amnesty which the Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima promised to offer them.

Abu Dardam stated that the group was rejecting the amnesty because they don’t recognize democracy as a form of government and that the group does not agree with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, arguing that justice can only be found in the Holy Quran, that is Shariya system of government.

Borno Govt appeals for peace

Borno State Commissioner of Home Affairs Information and Culture Mr. Hyeladi Inuwa Bwala, in his reaction appealed to the group to see reason and embrace dialogue with a view to restoring lasting peace in BornoState. He noted that most wars and crisis in the world were settled mostly through dialogue, and therefore called on the group to see wisdom in the amnesty offer and come to a round table for dialogue.

Imam Abubakar Ibn Shekau-led Boko Haram, however, said only its highest decision-making organ, Shura Council has the power to take a decision whether or not to accept the amnesty. A credible source close to the sect explained that the Shura Council is Boko Haram’s apex council and highest decision-making organ of the sect while all cells of the organization are represented in the council.

The source explained that everything about the proposed amnesty would be deliberated upon and thereafter subjected to the group’s Islamic theology and jurisprudence

According to the source, “Shura Council may surprise Nigerians, because they may agree and may not agree. It depends on their understanding and Islamic theology and the jurisprudence they are following. They are above what people think about them, they are highly ideological and hold their beliefs high. They are committed Mujahideens and highly committed to their cause. I know this rather well.” The source disclosed that the Shura Council would act according to the tenets of their faith.

Gunmen attack church in Maiduguri

Meanwhile, some gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect yesterday attacked the Ekliziyar Yan’uwa a Nigeriya (Church of Brethren), also known as EYN in Bulumkutu ward of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital injuring one policeman even as another set of gunmen abducted a former chairman of Abadam local council of Borno state, Alhaji Mustapha Gadobe,, weekend and demanded N50 million ransom from the state government or he will be killed.

Vanguard gathered that the gunmen who attacked the church came in a Keke Napep (tricycle) at about 11:02am when the service was going on opening fire on the JTF troops deployed to the church to protect lives of and property. JTF troops however repelled the attack and in the process a policeman was injured on his leg.

According to an eye witness, “the gunmen numbering about five came on a tricycle and started shooting at the JTF security personnel attached to the church, but the JTF responded swiftly.”

When contacted on phone for confirmation, the JTF Spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa confirmed the incident.

He said at about 11am, some Boko Haram suspects attempted to attack the JTF location at the EYN church in Bulumkutu ward of Maiduguri Metropolis, but were repelled, pointing out that one policeman sustained gunshot injury on his leg. The problem was treated and immediately discharged from the hospital.

The abducted former council boss, Gadobe was said to have been kidnapped near a Maiduguri suburb, Wadiya by the gunmen who hurriedly bundled him into his Toyota FJ Cruiser and drove off to unknown destination.

Vanguard authoritatively gathered that a serving member of Borno state house of Assembly was currently handling the negotiation between the kidnappers and Borno state government.

A top political appointee informed our Correspondent in confidence that the abductors threatened to kill their hostage when the said mediator offered a N3 million cash payment as against the N50 million earlier demanded.

‘We learnt that the family members of the former council chairman and the mediator had on Saturday offered to pay N3 million an offer that was said to have angered the kidnappers who vowed to kill Gadobe should such ridiculous amount be mentioned again’, said the source.

It was further learnt that another offer of N10 million was yesterday advanced to the abductors which was still turned down.

A top official of the DSS confirmed the abduction to Vanguard on phone but declined giving details of steps being taken to rescue the kidnapped politician.

Embrace peace initiative —Atiku tells militia groups

In a related development former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urged members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace taking advantage of the constitution of an Amnesty Committee on the insurgency by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Reacting to the weekend attack on the private residence of the Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Bala James Ngillari by some armed men and the massacre of policemen in Bayelsa State, the former Vice President in a statement yesterday urged the militia groups in the country to lay down their arms, saying not laying down arms portend grave consequences for the country.

The former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who noted that aggrieved members of any society have the right to express their grievances, but warned that taking up arms and killing other citizens was the most bizarre way of expressing such grievances.

Atiku Abubakar who noted that no government can condone such a recourse to impunity as it undermines national stability and cohesion, said, ‘’Armed groups in the country should take the full advantage of the window of opportunity of a peace deal being put together by the Federal Government to negotiate for a peaceful conflict resolution.”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/04/we-re-yet-to-decide-on-amnesty-boko-haram/

See levels na, and na our oil money dem want carry pay them.

Why doesn't JTF kill the Shura Council Members

US govt does not negotiate with terrorist. I expect nigerian govt should not do the same.

You guys should decide fast oo so that guys ll know the best move to make.kidnapping is becoming tough for guys nowadays.mayb amnesty is gonna be trending soon in naija.

This faceless & inhuman group deserve no amnesty.

I can't believe this... SMH

Michaeljones36: Why doesn't JTF kill the Shura Council Members

^^^What makes you think they've not tried?

Once again, they attack the church. And turai yaradua won't say a word because christians are chickens.

smh

After killing thousands, turning many wives into widows, and many children into orphans, u want to receive amnesty #na god go punish all of una and una sponsors

Abu Dardam stated that the group was rejecting the amnesty because they don’t recognize democracy as a form of government and that the group does not agree with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, arguing that justice can only be found in the Holy Quran, that is Shariya system of government.

See how terrorists are holding this country to ransom? I thought that they were ghosts? Where are these ones crawling out from?

People that hate education are telling educated people in Nigeria the above quoted crap above. Later Turai and co.(whose husband did not negotiate with terrorists in the North) will start their nonsense amnesty talk.

Abi is this government deaf? BH doesn't want your amnesty, so what are you going to do? .

hmmm

Na wah oo. Just passing

God punish Satan, na who want Amnesty for dem before?

solgee: I can't believe this... SMH

You took those words right off my fingertips. Nigeria is finished but being kept alive by greed, avarice and self aggrandisement.

And Boko Haramists aren't Muslims..u don't offer amnesty to an unrepentant terrorist..
Conversely, do u fink d amnesty would not be re-invested in sponsoring the wider Al-Qaeda network??

Okija_juju:

Agreed. The current situation with the militants in the South West is a case at hand. Government has no business hobnobbing with terrorists.

What do you expect when the president has sold his authority to terrorists because of cowardice? Boko Haram has killed Nigerians, Christians, Muslims,Nigerians of all tribes & yet they still have the luxury of choices & dictating to the federal government of this country? Can you now see that the defacto president of Nigeria is Imam Shekau Abubakar of the "boko haram party?" Jonathan is just a failure & a total disgrace to the spirit of being Nigerian. This man has to be kicked out of aso rock in 2015.

I don't understand this @ all.
You mean five terrorists used an ordinary keke napep to attack and the Military, with all their vehicles and APC's etc could not even arrest any of 'em?
Smh for naija

Guys chill! GEJ is on top of his game

...like yobo

.

Biggyd2:

Agreed. The current situation with the militants in the South West is a case at hand. Government has no business hobnobbing with terrorists.

which militants are in the south west?

Is Amnesty the Panacea to the Insecurity, Terrorism & Boko Haram Crises in Nigeria?

Join the discussion here:

https://www.nairaland.com/1243685/amnesty-solution-insecurity-terrorism-boko#15032794

Michaeljones36: Why doesn't JTF kill the Shura Council Members

Very good question. I keep wondering too. Nigeria has more than enough armed men to tackle this BH issue. I see no reason y d gov shld stall.

Useless FG n stupid Boko Haram

I think the whole amnesty package is insulting to all Nigerians. What is more insulting is the fact that d govt has to wait for them to decide (which btw, i wont be suprised if they decline).
Well, we cant blame them. If the defence arm of d govt was a vibrant one chasing the b.h sect out of their hide-outs and bringing them to face justice, i bet they would jump @ d amnesty offer.
God help us.

This is a done deal, Amnesty will be accepted by BH. The group would have dismissed the offer outright if they had no interest. The good news is that their leaders are considering the offer and will accept it soon enough..

.

Let me be cheeky

I thought BH was the FG. Or the CIA. Or Igbos attacking and burning churches.
I thought it was universally agreed that they were not Moslems because Moslems are peaceful. I thought it was agreed that their cause was political not religious.

Op I hate stories like this on a Monday morning. Very depressing