A pan-north group, Northern Development Forum (NDF), has issued a two-week ultimatum to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant amnesty to Boko Haram and bandits in the North to foster national inclusivity.
The group which premised its demands on what it called the “prosperous life now being lived by ex-agitators in the Niger Delta”, warned that it cannot guarantee peace in the north if its demands are not met.
In a press statement by its spokesperson, Sheriff Abubakar, the NDF said the only way the North will have a respite from incessant attacks from Boko Haram and bandits is for the Tinubu government to grant amnesty to the rebels just like the late Umar Musa Yar’adua did on assumption of office in 2009 for Niger-Delta agitators.
The group further stated that for 15 years and counting, the Niger Delta militants have enjoyed unprecedented patronage from the Nigerian government, leaving them in the North in abject poverty and deprivation.
It listed its demands for Boko Haram and bandits to include: Declaration of Amnesty; provision of scholarship; capacity building; and establishment of cooperative scheme.
“Today, we find ourselves facing a similar situation in the North, where agitations and conflicts have escalated to an alarming dimension. We mustn’t ignore the plight of our fellow citizens who are voicing their concerns through agitations.
“We understand that quite several Boko Haram insurgents have been pardoned and rehabilitated through the De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) program of the Nigerian Army but more needs to still be done.
“Granting amnesty to agitators in the North would not only address their grievances but also pave the way for a more united and prosperous Nigeria.
“By extending amnesty to Northern agitators, we would send a powerful message of inclusivity, justice, and fairness. It would provide a much-needed opportunity for dialogue and reconciliation, allowing all parties to come together to find sustainable solutions to the issues that have plagued our nation.
