Ribadu Appeals to Boko Haram to Accept Amnesty

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu

Former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Saturday appealed to the Boko Haram sect to accept amnesty from the Federal Government. Ribadu explained that dialoguing with those involved in the dreadful acts would bring the desired hope of stopping the carnage.

The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman spoke while fielding questions from newsmen in Ikenne, Ogun State, during a visit to the Awolowo family, saying the Federal Government should not deter in its peace moves, despite foreseen stumbling blocks.

Ribadu was in company with the former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Aliyu Moddibo, on the condolence visit to Ikenne home of the Awolowo family.

“It is very sad when I heard that the Boko Haram sect rejected the amnesty offer, but that does not mean that government should totally relent on the move. Personally, my view from the onset is we should pursue the direction of dialogue and not closing any door against peace.

“From now, the feelers and body language of the sect is not encouraging, but that does not mean that we should abandon or give up. We should pursue the direction of peace.

“I urged the Federal Government to continue in the line and direction of looking for a way of addressing and stopping this carnage and bloodbath. Even if it means pursuing dialogue, even if there are stumbling blocks on the way, it is not to give up,” he stated.

He therefore urged the sect to know that nothing meaningful could be achieved in an atmosphere devoid of peace and tranquillity, and that the sect are doing no one any good by the killings and maiming.

He maintained that the act of terrorism would not thrive in Nigeria, asking those involved to toe the path of peace.

“I am also making a direct appeal to those who are involved to know that they are destroying their own people. They must understand that it has not worked anywhere in the world and it will not work in Nigeria. What do they want to gain from this senseless killing. In the name of God let them stop,” Ribadu said.