FG undecided on Boko Haram amnesty committee

The Federal Government on Wednesday kept mum on the progress report on its efforts aimed at granting amnesty to members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram. State House correspondents had sought to know from the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, on how far the committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan during a meeting with security chiefs last week to look at the various clamour for amnesty and its feasibility had gone in their assignment.
They also asked the minister to formally name government officials who are members of the committee.
But Maku refused to comment on the matter.
The minister simply said, “You will be briefed on Boko Haram amnesty as their (the committee’s) work progresses.”
Jonathan had last Thursday bowed to pressure being mounted on him, especially by northern leaders, to grant amnesty to members of the Islamic sect that is responsible for the violence in parts of the country.
The President, during a meeting he held with security chiefs, set up a committee that will work with the Office of the National Security Adviser to consider the clamour for amnesty for the sect and the merits of the calls.
A top government official, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development to journalists.
Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in confirming the development however did not name members of the committee.
The composition had so far remained a subject of speculation in the media.
The source said, “I can tell you authoritatively that the meeting the President had with security chiefs was devoted to Boko Haram.
“You will recall that the President during his recent visit to Borno and Yobe States did not say that government will not grant amnesty to members of Boko Haram at all.
“What the President said was that the government could not grant amnesty to those that have not come forward.  The issue of Boko Haram and the amnesty proposition is a complex one.
“Since the President’s declaration, there has been growing calls for amnesty with the northern elders at a meeting with the President last night (Thursday) still insisting on amnesty.
“In response to all these clamour, government has to show that it respects public opinion which has resulted from the overwhelming calls.”