Amnesty: Northern Govs Urge Boko Haram to Embrace Peace

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state has called on Boko Haram to embrace the peace initiative proposed by President Goodluck Jonathan through granting of amnesty to its members. Aliyu made the call on Friday in Minna in his capacity as Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum. The call which is contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Israel Ebije, quoted the governor as saying that the president’s amnesty offer was a welcome idea. Aliyu said that the Northern states’ governors were ready to cooperate and support the Federal Government to address the grievances of the insurgents in order to ensure their successful re- integration into the larger society. The statement described the amnesty offer as laudable because it would help restore peace and harmony in troubled areas of the country. It quoted the governor as appealing to the sect members to lay down their arms, saying that peace and stability was essential to the region’s development and growth. It said that insecurity had increased fear, encouraged suspicion and put national development in reverse gear. It said that effort must be put in place to ensure that every window of opportunity needed to curb the surging violence was exploited to the very end.