Lately, there has been much talk for negotiations with and, an amnesty programme for boko haram terrorists in the northern part of Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari is already negotiating with them and there may also amnesty for them.

To what end would the amnesty be? First of all,the boko haram ideology does not believe in western education and everything that comes with it and as such, they seek to impose absolute Sharia law in all the Northern states of Nigeria, which with time, will surely extend to every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
Secondly, they believe that the western colonization of Nigeria has tampered with the way the practice of Islam should be therefore, the Prophet Mohammedan mode of practice of Islam should be enforced.
In line with the above, they launched out massive violence and killings first, against Christians living in the North. Later, they extended their scope of destruction to include fellow muslims who criticized their modus operandi.

I do not believe that there should be negotiations with any terrorist group or militants. There shouldn't even be any form of amnesty for such people. Reasons being that negotiations will make such groups bold in their demands to the Federal Government and the Federal Government will be left with no option but to meet them half way. Secondly, negotiations will give room for any other agitating groups to also foment trouble and force the government to listen to them if they make an obvious enough impression. After all, there already are precedents for negotiating with their likes. Thirdly, an amnesty programme is for those who are ready to abandon their staunch beliefs and be ready to be absolved back into the civil society. Are the boko boys ready to do that?
When amnesty has been granted them, what becomes of the thousands of innocent lives that has been lost to these murderers? What becomes of their rape victims? Shouldn't there be any form of justice meted out to them? Shouldn't these boys be made to face the law. Should they be pardoned just like that and be told to just go and sin no more?
Perhaps, all these issues will be swept under the carpet and everyone will say, "it has happened, it has happened. Let us move on with our lives".
I sincerely hope not.

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