The Federal Government on Monday said its ready to offer amnesty to members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, known as Boko Haram, if their leader, Abubakar Shekau gives up himself.
Shekau is one of three members of the group on United States’ terror list.
National Coordinator of the Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Sarkin-Yaki Bello (rtd) disclosed this at an interactive session with top US military (Capstone course) personnel led by Admiral (rtd) Henry Chiles at the National Defence College Abuja.
He revealed that government would accommodate members of the group in a rehabilitation programme.
“Government is also working to ensure that an opportunity will be created to embrace extremists who renounce terrorism to come forward for rehabilitation,” he said.
He further stated that government is prepared to meet the demands put forward by the group which included the release of its members in detention; the rebuilding of its mosque (Markas) which was destroyed by military operations in Maiduguri in 2009 and allowing sect members to practice their religion freely.
Bello said government would adopt some socio-economic measures to address extremism in the north, hence members of the sect who renounce violence will be granted amnesty.
“The Federal Government in conjunction with state governments will soon officially launch a coordinated programme aimed at addressing unemployment in the region.”
“This will help reduce the pool of recruit for the Boko Haram sect. Additionally to this, the federal government will reform and regulate the hitherto unregulated Madrasa schools, popularly called the Almajiri system of education that has prevailed in the northern part of the country.
“Nigeria is collaborating with other neighbouring countries to prevent terror attacks. He said a number of foreign nationals were identified as Boko Haram members.
“We have citizens of Niger Republic who are members of Boko Haram we have Chadians; we have Cameroonians as member,” he said.
“The major source of arms for Boko Haram comes from Libya through Chad,” he said, point out that the federal government has evolved approaches to deal with the problem. He said Boko Haram attacks, maritime insecurity and kidnapping are the major security challenges facing the country.
He emphasised that of the three, Boko Haram is the most dangerous because “its members live within the society and it’s difficult to spot them.”
“The sect has grown in sophistication from when it emerges in 2009 as it is now capable of carrying out coordinated attacks in many cities in northern Nigeria.
He said Nigerian security forces have had to review their tactics and modus operandi to address the new security challenges, adding that security operations will now be aligned to suit overall government effort of eradicating terrorism.
“In conjunction with other stakeholders, a draft National Counter Terrorism Strategy which will soon be approved by our president has been produced. The idea is to have an all embracing approach toward handling counter terrorism issues.
“Other measures include advance plan to set up National Counter Terrorism Centre which further ensure coordination and synergy among all agencies. A Fusion Centre will be a key component of Counter Terrorism Centre which will serve as a processing point for all source of intelligence,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Thomas Lokoson said the US team was in the College to acquire leadership skills at the strategic level.
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