Buhari offers repentant Boko Haram members amnesty, vows to punish security chiefs if another abduction happens

Buhari made the amnesty-promise at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving girls who were abducted from their school in Dapchi, Yobe State, and were released on Wednesday.

“While further efforts are being made to secure the release of every abducted citizen in Nigeria, government is ever ready to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the Boko Haram group who shows strong commitment in that regard.

“We are ready to rehabilitate and integrate such repentant members into the larger society.

“This country has suffered enough of hostility. Government is, therefore, appealing to all to embrace peace for the overall development of our people and the country.”

The President also announced that he would not hesitate to punish security chiefs if any case of abduction is recorded in any part of the country.

He said he had directed them to beef up security around all schools.

He also warned those who described as “politicising”security issues, saying the security agents would “deal with” them.

Buhari made the pronouncements on Friday during the reception held for the released Dapchi girls and their parents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The President said, “The security services have since been directed to put in place further measures around all schools vulnerable to attacks to ensure the safety of our pupils/students and teachers and school workers.

“I have tasked all the security agencies to work to ensure that we do not witness any recurrence of these incidents.

“Security chiefs have been warned in clear terms that any lapse on their parts will be viewed seriously,” he said.

As for those who he referred to as “politicising the security situation in the country”, Buhari urged them to “desist or face the wrath of security agencies.”

“May I also warn against those elements who have chosen to make political fortune of our citizens’ misfortune.

“Government would not tolerate any attempt by any person or group to trivialise or politicise security issues for politically motivated ends.

“Accordingly, security agencies would not hesitate to decisively deal with such unscrupulous characters,” he said.

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