We Are Now Ready To Take Amnesty; Says Boko Haram Leader

The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter for the Federal Government’s planned amnesty for members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect and their wives. One of the 12 top leaders of the sect, Mohammed Marwan, has disclosed that they are now ready for dialogue.

And he, Mohammed Marwan, confirmed that he is speaking for all the leaders of the sect...
According to him, the reason the sect ordered the release of the French nationals its men took hostage was to demonstrate its readiness for sincere dialogue with the Federal Government on the way forward in the offer of amnesty on their terms.

Marwan, who spoke in an interview with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA) in Kaduna, explained that he ordered the release of the French nationals who had been in the sect’s custody for about two months after a high powered meeting with the 11 top members of the sect.

He, however, warned that the agreement would be breached immediately the JTF carry out another offensive against Boko Haram or attack any Muslim unjustly.

In the words of Mohammed Marwan:

"Those that were in our custody for some time, I gave the directive that they be released yesterday around 2pm. I gave the directive for their release as a result of some discussions we had among us. The discussions revolved around what the government came up with after their meeting with the Northern elders. 

“That is why I ordered that they should be released and allowed to go without being handed over to anybody. I said a vehicle should be brought so that they go back to where they came from in-between Cameroon and Adamawa. It was as a result of the many calls and the preparations ahead. That was why I gave that order after our joint meeting; 12 of us had met.”

Asked for his opinion on the amnesty being proposed by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, the Boko Haram strong man, Marwan, said: "We thank Allah; we should all sit. They should stop what they are doing and we too should stop what we are doing.

"I also directed that no security official will be touched unless he touches us or the Muslim community; those who committed no crime, as we will revenge if they do that. But I have given that directive so that we would see how they will go about it.

[There will be peace henceforth] unless another confusion comes up again."