President Goodluck Jonathan has constituted a Presidential Committee to define comprehensive and workable framework for dialoguing with leaders of the Boko Haram sect and resolving the country’s insecurity issues.
Speaking with State House correspondents at a press briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati disclosed that the 26-member amnesty committee will be chaired by Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki while a representative of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will serve as Secretary.
Sheik Ahmed Lemu, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Col. Musa Shehu (rtd.), Sheik Abubakar Tureta, Dr Datti Ahmed, Sen. Abubakar Sodangi Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Hon. Mohammed Matawalle are members, as well as Mr. Zakari Ibrahim, Mr. Shehu Sani, Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed, Malam Adamu Ladan, Dr Joseph Golwa, AVM. A.I. Shehu and Mr. R. I. Nkemdirim.
Other members are DIG P. I. Leha, Prof. Nura Alkali, Malam Salihu Abubakar, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Lugga, Mr Ibrahim Tahir, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Sab, Amb. Baba Ahmed Jidda, Grp.-Capt. Bilal Bulama, Rtd and Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.
According to Abati, the setting up of the committee is sequel to the consideration of the report of the technical committee set up by the National Security Council on insecurity in the Northern part of the country.
The committee’s terms of reference, he said, include developing a framework for the granting of amnesty and setting up of a framework through which disarmament could take place within a 60-day time frame.
He added that the committee would as well develop a comprehensive victims’ support programme, and mechanisms to address the underlying causes of insurgencies that will help to prevent future occurrences.
He revealed that the president similarly constituted a Federal Government committee on the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, in a move to keep with Nigeria’s pledge to work with the UN and other countries to stem the worrisome proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“The president said the use of such weapons was creating insecurity and instability in Nigeria and other developing nations,” he said.
Mr. Emmanuel Imohe will chair the 17-member Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons while the Director, Department of International Organisation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will serve as Secretary.
Members include Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Martin Uhomoibhi; Amb. T.D. Hart; Alhaji Ghali Umar; Mr M.G. Wakil; and Mr. Opelusi Olureti.
Other members comprise one representative each from the Ministry of Interior, Office of the National Security Adviser, Office of the Director General, State Security Services and the National Intelligence Agency.
A representative each from the Federal Ministries of Justice and Defence, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Customs Services, and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is also on the committee.
According to Abati, the president would formally inaugurate the committees on Wednesday 24th April at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
