A group under the auspices of the Arewa consultative forum has taken with a pinch of salt the overnight surrendering of arms by Boko Haram insurgents to the troops of the Nigerian Army.
Hence, the Forum advised they should be brought to trial or free all others presently in custody anywhere.
In a statement titled, ‘On repentant Boko Haram Terrorists and the Principle of Equity and Justice signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Audu Ogbeh said:
- Army dismisses report of release of ex-Boko Haram fighters
- Military hands over 1,009 ex-Boko Haram to Borno govt.
- Boko Haram hoist flag in Kaure, Niger State – Gov Bello confirms
“We are currently witnessing large scale surrender of large numbers of Boko Haram Insurgents, among whom are bomb makers, commanders, arsonists, rapists, and child snatchers. Do we have good reason to cheer and hope for an end to this decade-old insanity?
“Is “I am sorry” enough to bring relief to Nigerians and the thousands of dead and maimed? What of those victims bombed in the churches, mosques, schools, and markets? What of all the men and women in uniform murdered by them?”.
Continuing, “Who can count the thousands of widows and orphans they have created? And what is the difference between them and the Ighoho’s or ESN of Nigeria? None.
So what do we do with them? Should we just embrace them and trust them
wholesale? Are their moves informed by altruistic repentance? We seriously doubt”.
“We join the Governor of Borno, The Shehu of Borno, Senator Ndume and millions of Nigerians in pondering over this development and our simple advice is: Bring them to trial, or free all others presently in custody anywhere, while we Nigerians plead guilty of naivety and gullibility in the extreme, punishable by more
insurrection and anarchy”. the statement read.
