Use Taxpayer Moneys for Displaced Persons: Clergy
By Mike Odeh James and Luka Binniyat
(Kaduna) – Last week’s pardon granted some notorious Muslim bandits by Kaduna State Gov. Uba Sani has sparked outrage among Christian leaders in the state, where thousands of Christians have been either killed or kidnapped in the recent past.
The clergy are pushing back against Governor Sani’s Nov. 29 blanket amnesty for “repentant” Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) otherwise known as bandits, in Birnin Gwari town, Birnin Gwari county, about 30 miles, west of Kaduna metropolis. The pardoned bandits are among some of the most infamous terrorists on the Nigeria military list. They are wanted for crimes such as kidnapping, rape, forced slavery, ethnic cleansing, and mass killings – spanning over a decade. Victims of their attacks live in numerous Middle Belt States, including Plateau.
Rev. James Pam, a retired banker, university lecturer and Church leader in Jos, the Plateau State capital, Central Nigeria, has expressed outrage over the decision to offer amnesty to terrorists in Kaduna state and by extension in Borno state, Northeast Nigeria, and other places.
Protest Granting Muslim Terrorists Superior Status Over Christian Victims
“Amnesty for what! For killing fellow Nigerians?” Rev Pam fumed.
‘There is no justification for such pardon at all. They (terrorists) are supposed to be tried according to the laws of the land and meted appropriate punishment,’ he told TruthNigeria.
“It is absolutely absurd that known captured terrorists, who have killed and maimed Nigerians and ransacked whole communities, would be set free in the name of amnesty,” Pam said.
Pam emphasized that the government should prioritize justice for the victims of terrorism, rather than offering amnesty to perpetrators.
Pam also expressed concerns over the alarming number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. “Approximately 90 percent of these IDPs are Christians, primarily targeted by Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists in predominantly Christian areas,” Pam added.
Moreover, Pam has accused the Northern Governors and the Federal Government of perpetuating a disturbing trend of marginalizing Christians in favor of Muslim extremists, including Boko Haram and Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) members. This bias has led to a lack of protection for Christian communities, leaving them vulnerable to attacks and displacement.
Slap On The Faces Of Victims
“The government’s decision to offer amnesty to terrorists is a slap in the face to victims of terrorism,” said Rev. David Ayuba Azzaman, Assistant General Overseer of Kings Worship Chapel and Ministry in Kaduna.
“It is unacceptable that the government is prioritizing the rehabilitation of terrorists over justice for their victims,” Azzaman added.
According to the Christian clerics, the amnesty granted to terrorists such as Yellow Jambros, reflected how the Kaduna State Governor, the Northern Governors and the Federal Government treat Nigerian Christians.
“The Federal Government and most Northern state Governors are favoring Muslim extremists, including Boko Haram members and Fulani Ethnic Militia members, to the detriment of Christians who are often the victims of terror.
“The government is pampering and rehabilitating terrorists while neglecting Christian victims,” said Rev. Azzaman.
Azzaman also noted that relief materials meant for Christian IDPs are being diverted to Muslim IDPs, exacerbating the sense of marginalization and neglect among Christian communities.
Complex Issue
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, former chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, expressed concerns over the granting of amnesty to terrorists in Kaduna, Borno, and other parts of Nigeria.
According to Hayab, while offering amnesty can be a strategic move to encourage terrorists to surrender and renounce violence, amnesty has to be balanced against rehabilitation of their victims, chiefly Christians, still suffering in Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camps.
Hayab emphasized that granting amnesty to terrorists without holding them accountable for their crimes perpetuates a sense of injustice and inequality. He also questioned the realism of the repentance of terrorists and the ability of governors to provide proper so-called deradicalization programs.
“However, it raises concerns when their victims, mainly Christians, are still suffering in Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camps,” Hayab texted to TruthNigeria.
“It’s essential to consider the plight of these victims, who have been forced to flee their homes and live in precarious conditions. Granting amnesty to the terrorist by the governors is clearly and act of prioritizing the rehabilitation of terrorists over the welfare and justice for their victims,” Hayab told TruthNigeria
Rehabilitating Terrorists with Taxpayer Money?
Hayab also denounced the Nigerian government’s practice of using taxpayer money to rehabilitate terrorists, particularly members of Boko Haram and FEM. Hayab emphasized that granting amnesty to these individuals is not only wrong but also highly controversial.
“In the first place the United Nations has explicitly warned against granting amnesty specifically to Boko Haram, emphasizing that perpetrators of serious human rights violations must be held accountable,” he wrote in a text.
According to the cleric, amnesty programs may allow perpetrators to go unpunished, undermining efforts to promote justice and accountability. Amnesty programs will not address the underlying issues driving violence, such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, he wrote
“What’s more,” he argued., “granting amnesty to terrorists may create a perception that violence is an acceptable means to achieve goals,” he wrote.
Mike Odeh James and Luka Binniyat are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria
