Aliyu cautions FG on amnesty for Boko Haram

The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Niger State Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has called for caution in granting amnesty to the members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect in the country.
Aliyu said while responding to the Minister of Special Duties and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security challenges in the North, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, who led a team to him in Minna, that the sponsors of the sect must be identified first.
According to him: “The sponsors of the group must be identified, investigated and possibly sanctioned.
“We must go deeper than simple cosmetic changes in our society.
“I want you to bring out the sponsors because they don’t mean well for this country.
“Those who have not taken arms against the country are more dangerous than those fighting the nation who we know.”
Aliyu however advocated a special intervention for the revival of the economy of the 19 northern states as one of the ways to solve the security problems facing the region.
“There is therefore the need for all the economic issues in the North to be looked into properly and solutions proffered for their revival,” he added.
He stressed the need to provide jobs for the huge number of the unemployed in the region to stop them from being ready tools in the hands of mischief makers in the country.
He said the Niger State Government has been able to achieve peaceful coexistence among all those resident in the state by being proactive on security issues and abolishing the indigene and non indigene syndrome.
Turaki, on behalf of the Federal Government commended Aliyu for the security network in the state.
Turaki said the government plans to set up a framework on the disarming of Boko Haram, which will be done within 60 days.
Turaki said since the ugly incidents of Madalla and Suleja in Niger State, normalcy and peace have returned to the state and that is why Niger State was chosen by the Federal Government as a platform to proffer a solution to all these problems.
He said: “We are here to tap your knowledge to see that the issue of insecurity in the North is tackled finally because you did not allow the issue of insecurity to linger at all in Niger state, we appreciate your effort.
“We call on all Northern states Governors to follow your footsteps so as to achieve these goals. Federal Government on its own will talk with the victims, share their views and feelings to see where we can help them, irrespective of the fact that nothing can quantify whatever that is given to them compared to the lives of their dear ones who have died or lost parts of their bodies.
“The Federal Government really commends Governor Aliyu’s untiring effort in ensuring lasting peace which has brought normalcy to Niger state. Mr. President seeks to address with the establishment of this committee something that is very dear to you, the concern is to address what you and your colleagues (Northern Governors) have several times discussed and tackled.
“We are aware of several committees you and your colleagues had set up on the same problem with a view to making sure that normalcy is restored in every nooks and crannies of the northern part of the country.
“Life and property need absolute protection in such a way and manner that every Nigerian irrespective of your religion, political affiliation or vocation or where you come from, people must be free to move and pursue their businesses without any hindrances.”