#Think Along With Me

Amnesty as aberration?

By Bayo Fasunwon

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For some weeks now, there have been jubilations on the side of those in power that some Boko Haram fighters, and probably bandits have chewed the humble pie, awakened to the madness of their activities, allowed God to touch their hears, and have since repented of their heinous crimes. Government is all smiles, in showing to the world that the war against insurgents was yielding fruit, and these one would be debriefed, de-radicalized, reformed, and integrated into the society. In order to ensure that insurgencies of this annihilating features dies permanently in Nigeria, the elated Federal Government had deemed it fit to grant amnesty, protection, and assistance to the ‘repentant’ blood spillers.
As at 2013, the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad had asked the Federal Government to grant Boko Haram members, a total and unconditional amnesty in order to achieve peace in the Northeast and Nigeria as a whole. The Sultan had thought that when the gains of surrender, offered to at least one man slaughterer, far outweighs the risks and gains of murder, others would take cue and lay down their arms to benefit from the amnesty programme. However, the inability of the group to dialogue with the then President stalled the amnesty process then.
In the past, the Federal government had taken steps to fray nerves, curb marauders, and stop agitations that threaten the peace and oneness of this nation. However, for the unresolved provisions of the Aburi accord, the Nigeria Civil War would not have occurred at all. The Oputa Panel was also set up so that a person who had issues with others, and has been victims of high handedness and even extra-judicial killings could jaw-jaw and forgive one another was set up, and national healing was said to have been achieved. Furthermore, the Niger Delta militants under President Yar’Adua (RIP) gave amnesty to Nigeria Delta agitators in order to stop the bombing of pipelines and oil facilities. Recently, various panels were set up to listen to victims of Police brutality, and appropriate remedies were to be awarded.
Many, especially, from the government circle have argued that if these had worked in the past, then granting unconditional amnesty to Boko Haram members and bandits would be the way to go. They argued that peace is the major objective, and the means to it is less important than the expected outcome. It does not matter if the repentant killers are unprosecuted, clothed in linen, given sumptuous meals, flown abroad for medicals and education (which they abhorred); and then given plum, even ministerial jobs in the political system. What matters is that peace, no matter how fragile is being achieved. It is also believed that the repentant slaughterers like evangelists, would bring many out of terrorism, and if such refuse, would expose them, their operations, and secrets to the Federal Government.
In all the programmes developed to forgive the killers, none has been put in place to placate their victims. If Government is ready to spend billions of taxpayers’ funds on blood letters, the question arises as to what compensations have been given to those who still suffer from the activities of villains turned heroes. Have the destroyed villages been rebuilt by government? Have the orphaned children been adopted by government and given scholarships to cover their education desires? Have these victims been given automatic employment and properties destroyed restored? While the killers are allowed to walk free on the streets and enjoy beyond the innocent, what compensation have been given to the dead killed by them? Would the neglect of the victims, and glorification of the sinners not encourage the saints to become sinners in the future? Are there no limits to amnesty?
A cursory look into the past programmes of government had shown that amnesty programmes have been avenues for corruption. No matter the gain that accrued to some repentant persons, the people in government had found ways to enrich themselves the more. Though the various panels set up to look into Police brutalities have made recommendations for remedies, we are yet to see the execution of such orders. In many of these programmes, the perpetrators of evils and their supporters, benefit than the victims. Amnesty should not be one sided. If it is given to killers, then healing and more compensations should go to the victims. Until government toes that line of action, it is impossible for the masses to believe that the sponsor of the carnage had not turned round and acted as the messiah.
One thing however baffles me about these repentant Boko Haram fighters. Unlike the Niger Delta repentant militants, these ‘repentant’ killers only came to repentance with cardboards in solidarity with amnesty. One did not see ordinary AK-47, anti aircraft guns, RPGs, sub-machine guns, motorcycles or those other weapons used for their ruthless killings. None came to surrender the girls and women they had forcefully married. None showed remorse for their crimes on their faces. They were more like a set of people who have come to benefit from government’s poverty alleviation programme. Could it be that government did not want to reveal much about the repentance programme due to ‘security’ reasons? Yours truly has not seen the fruits of repentance, possibly because one is not wearing government’s lenses. However, in my training, one could perceive a diversionary move, and opportunity to infiltrate and buy time before a major onslaught. One wishes this perception is wrong. However, one brings to mind all the programmes engaged by government with bandits, and the aftermath today in Zamfara State, and of course, the Afghanistan experience. It is quite possible to negotiate with freedom fighters, militants and area boys; but to negotiate with terrorists is a waste of time.
One is not however averse to amnesty, but it must be done with intense discretion. Certain conditions must be in place to safeguard the repeated carnage, and later professed repentance. Not all repentant blood spillers should qualify for forgiveness without trial. A blanket amnesty would, given the Nigerian factor produces more than reduce criminality. It would not be inappropriate profiling these, and preventing them from holding public offices in Nigeria for life. Furthermore, there should be programmes in place to help the victims of the destructive bandits and Boko Haram sect. This must not be left to State governments and philanthropists, since amnesty is a national programme. When substantial assistance, beyond what accrues to the killers are given to their victims, government is sending a message of hope and deterrence.
Let me end this piece with a condolence message to the families of Sowore, over the murder of one of their sons, Mr. Olajide Sowore, in the quest for higher learning. May the strength and fortitude to bear this loss be released to the entire family. Shall the killers receive amnesty too? Maybe amnesty does not cover repentant killer herdsmen, armed robbers, or willful exterminators.

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