Babangida declines to comment on amnesty for Boko Haram

Former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida has stated that the proposed amnesty for the members of the Boko Haram sect was a viable and effective means that would restore peace back to the northern region.

The retired Military General however declined further comments on the amnesty negotiation, but, promised to speak more on it when President Jonathan inaugurates the committee.

Babangida, who hosted newsmen at his residence in Minna, Niger State yesterday said, setting up such a committee "is part of the measures that will ensure peace and stability in the Northern region."

According to him, "I do not know the terms of reference of the committee, therefore I cannot speak about the plan until the terms of reference are released.''

"Every Nigerian has a role to play in tackling the security challenges facing us as a nation," because "the government could not possibly tackle such problem alone."

"If we all come together, the elite, the media, the ordinary people and the government by taking a common stand just as the people of Azare in Bauchi did to tackle their security challenges, peace will return" he said.



The elder statesman however urged the nation to trace the root of the insurgence.

"The problem did not start in one day, it began on a gradual note before it came to this level, owing to our negligence by the government, the elite and the people; but I cannot blame anyone."

"Some 20 years ago, we did not have this problem, what was the state of things then? what have we forgotten that we have not done that led to the present challenges, this we have to look at."

He also asked all Nigerians to put all hands on deck with the President and governments at all levels to tackle the problem of insecurity in the country.