Boko Haram: Amnesty can be given but we need Buhari to mediate - Osuntokun

A public affairs analyst and former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Akin Osuntokun, on Tuesday said before the government could consider granting amnesty for the members of Boko Haram, the group must have a structure.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, Mr. Osuntokun said the situation was not that of the government versus the Boko Haram sect but a case that should involve all Nigerians.

He said: “I personally would have wished that General Buhari (Muhammadu Buhari) would have lent his status to helping in mediating in some kind of peace but he flatly rejected.”

Asked why he believed General Buhari was in a better stead to mediate with the extremist sect, Mr. Osuntokun said it was because the former head of state possessed credibility and integrity that the sect leadership could trust. - Channels