Kaduna, Maiduguri, Damaturu — The Sultan of Sokoto yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to use the opportunity of his visit to Maiduguri scheduled for tomorrow to grant amnesty to Boko Haram fighters in order to restore peace in the North.

Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar spoke in Kaduna at the opening of the annual central council meeting of the Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), which was attended by senior traditional rulers and Muslim leaders from across the country.

This is the first time the Sultan publicly canvassed amnesty for members of the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lid Da'awati Wal Jihad, though he had previously urged for dialogue between government and the sect.

Abubakar said President Jonathan should use the few members of the sect who denounced terrorism to reach out to others who have yet to do that. He was apparently referring to a Boko Haram faction which announced a ceasefire recently but was later disowned by sect leader Abubakar Shekau.

"I want to use this opportunity to advise the President, as we heard he is planning to visit Borno State on Thursday, to see how he can declare total amnesty to all combatants without thinking twice," said the Sultan, who is President-General of the JNI.

"This will make any other person who picks up arms to be termed as a criminal. If the amnesty is declared, it will make all those who have been tired of running and hiding to come out and embrace the amnesty.

"Some of them have already come out. In fact, we heard stories in the papers that some have come out. Even if it is one person that denounces terrorism, it is the duty of the government to accept that person because he can be used to reach others. Whether it is true or not, the government should accept that person first and then interrogate him to see if he really belongs or not.

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