The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has condemned the move by the Federal Government to reintegrate repentant Boko Haram fighters back into the society, insisting that those that have surrendered should be made to face justice.
The Spokesperson for the group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, had said this while speaking on a popular morning radio programme ‘Crossfire’ anchored by Sheriff Quadry on Nigeria Info. FM in Lagos.
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman speaking with Mr Sheriff Quadry, said that their stand on the issue of repentant Boko Haram fighters being pardoned, is no different from that of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), which also kicked against the move by the Federal government.
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman who shared the views of the Coalition of Northern Groups through a telephone interview, said that those being pardoned have killed family members, mothers, sisters, brothers and even fathers. And there is no way the people would welcome them back to the society, after what they have done to them.
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman stating further, said while the government have the prerogative to pardon criminals or repentant Boko Haram fighters, they cannot force the people to accept them back to society.
When asked that some of the so-called repentant Boko Haram fighters had claimed that they were forced to join the dreaded group, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman said: “Nobody forced anyone to join Boko Haram fighters” but was also quick to add that if it was indoctrination, that could have been a different thing.
He also said that anyone can claim that he or she was forced to join Boko Haram fighters, and wonder why other youths didn’t join the group. He then used a case of a marijuana seller and the buyer to buttress his point.
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman also called on Nigerians to rise up and speak against the move. He also added that since the government is pardoning Boko haram fighters, they should also pardon others already standing trials for the same offence as those that they are about to be pardoned. He asked the federal government to bring repentant Boko Haram terrorists to justice or release the rest of them still in custody.
CNG Take On Petroleum Industry Act:
The CNG’s spokesperson also spoke about the recently signed Petroleum Industry Act by President Muhammadu Buhari, where he expressed the fears of the group.
Speaking on the Petroleum Industry Act, he said that the North, especially the far North will suffer more, given that the Act with the way it is, was designed to favour an individual, whose name he did not give.
The coalition of Northern Groups claim that the Act was designed to favour one man and that could cause more hardship to those in the North, as prices of fuel in the north will double given its distance.
When asked about their stand before the bill was signed into law, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman said they kicked against the signing of the bill into law, while making references to the Petroleum Equalisation Fund.
What is Petroleum Equalisation Fund?
This was formed primarily to compensate marketers of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene, who are disadvantaged due to their farther travel distance and higher costs of transporting refined products from the depot’s supply points to the retail outlets. This allows for the selling of petroleum products at uniform prices throughout the country, in spite of varying costs of transporting products to different destinations.
Abdul-Azeez Suleiman stating further, said since a private individual will be in charge of the transportation of fuel, it means that prices will differ across states. He added that those in the South, Akwa Ibom for example will buy fuel at a cheaper rate given their nearness to the off-takers, than those in the far North.
He said the group are watching to see how all these will go to know their next move.
President Muhammadu Buhari had signed the PIB into law on the 16th August 2021, almost 20-years after.
Callers who called into the radio programme also condemned government’s actions on the repentant Boko Haram fighters. They called for the due prosecution of the former fighters instead of a blanket pardon and rehabilitation with tax payers’ money.
Repentant Boko Haram Fighters
Nigerian Army had on Monday, stated that it received a fresh batch of over 200 repentant Boko Haram fighters and their family members in clearance operations on Saturday and Sunday in Borno State.
The army high command noted that a total of 186 Boko Haram terrorists surrendered on Saturday led by their Amir, Manye Aga, to troops of Operation Hadin Kai at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Ajiri.
On Sunday, the military received 33 additional Boko Haram fighters from Landanli, Azah, Ngaridua and Kondilla villages, who surrendered to own troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, Banki Junction in Bama.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, stated these in a release on Monday.
The army spokesman in a release said, “Following the recent unprecedented and massive surrendering of Boko Haram Terrorists in Bama Operational area between August 2 and 4, there has been confusion and severe apprehension in the camps of the Islamic State of West Africa Province especially amongst its top-ranking commanders over the depleting strength of its members, which has drastically dwindled their overall fighting efficiency.
“It is against this back drop that the terrorists group opted for the use of propaganda via AMAQ Terrorists Media Wing with the aim to portray the group as if it is still a potent force in the North East.
“The current trend of apprehension in their camps was further aggravated by the recent alarming turn out of members of the terrorists group, who came out in droves with their families to lay down their arms and surrender to own troops at Mafa Local Government Area on 14 August, 2021.
“A total of 186 Boko Haram Terrorists members led by their Amir, Manye Aga, comprising 67 adult males, 54 adult females and 65 children surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI at Forward Operational Base (FOB) Ajiri. Items recovered from the surrendered terrorists include, several AK 47 rifles and magazines, a locally made pistol and 8 locally fabricated daggers.
“Similarly, on 15 August, 2021, the Theatre took custody of additional Boko Haram fighters, comprising of 4 adult males, 11 adult females and 18 children from Landanli, Azah, Ngaridua and Kondilla villages, who surrendered to own troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, Banki Junction in Bama.
“ISWAP is yet to come to terms with the reality of its current predicament, which has posed serious negative impact on its prowess.
“It is also worthy of note that the terrorists are overwhelmed with palpable fear and are making desperate efforts to halt the ongoing surrendering of their fighters from the Tumbus and Sambisa axis.
“The Nigerian Military is more resolute in intensifying both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in the fight against insurgency, banditry and sundry crimes in the country.”