League of Imams backs amnesty for Boko Haram

League of Imams in North-Central zone of the country on Tuesday expressed support for amnesty for the Boko Haram sect to reduce the surge of violence in the northern region. This is contained in a communique signed by the forum’s Protem Chairman, Sheikh Umar Faruk.

It urged the Federal Government to listen to suggestions on the matter by drawing up amnesty for the sect members.

The league, however, condemned the killing of innocent people across the northern region by members of the sect.

It described the sect’s act as anti-Islam, barbaric and counterproductive.

“The forum condemns all forms of violence and killing of innocent souls across the country on daily basis by any group. No religion preaches manslaughter, bloodshed and killing of fellow human beings on earth without recourse to court process.”

The league also called on the authorities to end the arbitrary arrest, intimidation and extra-judicial killings of innocent religious leaders in its fight against the insurgents.

It also wants the government to strengthen shari’ah legal system and its institution, to ensure strict compliance to its provisions aimed at curbing immorality in the society.

The forum condemned indecent dressing by some girls, unrestricted mixing of boys and girls in public and private schools and called for better orientation for students and education administrators.

“The forum observed with great concern the high registration fees of private Islamic schools by the newly-constituted board responsible for the registration of private schools in Niger, “ the league said.