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| Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad |
Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar spoke in Kaduna at the opening of the annual central council meeting of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), which was attended by senior traditional rulers and Muslim leaders from across the country.
This is the first time the Sultan publicly canvassed amnesty for members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lid Da’awati Wal Jihad, though he had previously urged for dialogue between government and the sect.
Abubakar said President Jonathan should use the few members of the sect who denounced terrorism to reach out to others who have yet to do that. He was apparently referring to a Boko Haram faction which announced a ceasefire recently but was later disowned by sect leader Abubakar Shekau.
“I want to use this opportunity to advise the President, as we heard he is planning to visit Borno State on Thursday, to see how he can declare total amnesty to all combatants without thinking twice,” said the Sultan, who is President-General of the JNI.
“This will make any other person who picks up arms to be termed as a criminal. If the amnesty is declared, it will make all those who have been tired of running and hiding to come out and embrace the amnesty.
“Some of them have already come out. In fact, we heard stories in the papers that some have come out. Even if it is one person that denounces terrorism, it is the duty of the government to accept that person because he can be used to reach others. Whether it is true or not, the government should accept that person first and then interrogate him to see if he really belongs or not.
“Some people think we are not doing anything as leaders in the North. No, we have done enough and I want to commend all of you in what you have been doing. We will continue to do so despite criticisms because we know what we are doing. In sha Allah we will continue to talk with the government to be just in whatever they do.”
He said the JNI was committed to peace and would therefore continue to advise the political authorities on the way forward.
“We want to tell our political leaders and religious leaders the truth on the way forward for this country. We will continue to advise the government at all levels. If they do what they ought to do, Alhamdulillah (Thanks be to God). If they don’t do we will continue to tell them to do the right thing because it is our duty to tell them,” he said.
Continue & Read more from The Daily Trust
Published on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 05:00
Written by Ismail Mudashir (Kaduna), Hamza Idris, Ibrahim Sawab (Maiduguri) & Hamisu Kabir Matazu (Damaturu)
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