The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to declare amnesty for all members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, as a way of encouraging them to lay down their arms..
Sultan Abubakar, who expressed deep concern over the incessant bomb attacks and kidnappings by terrorists in parts of the country, argued that extending amnesty to the sect members would pave the way for dialogue between the sect and the Federal Government.
Making reference to a similar amnesty declared for militants in the Niger Delta, he said: “The type of amnesty that ended militants’ unrest in the Niger Delta will be suitable for the North. Initiating a restoration and rehabilitation programme that would integrate the terrorists into the larger society will pave the way for dialogue rather than engaging them in an endless war.
He urged the president to use the opportunity of his visit next Thursday to offer the sect members amnesty.
“We learnt that the President would be visiting Maiduguri on Thursday. I will like to urge him to see how he can declare amnesty to all combatants,” he said.
Others in attendance at the meeting include the Kaduna state governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, minister for state for Health, Mohammad Ali Pate and several other muslim leaders from across the country.