FG Yet To Make Pronouncement On Repentant Boko Haram Members — Minister

The Federal Government is yet to make definite pronouncement on
what will become of surrendered Boko Haram members, Minister of
Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama has said.

Onyeama spoke on Saturday amidst growing concerns over rumoured
plans by the government to reintegrate the surrendered Boko Haram
commandants and others to the society.

He spoke at the 2021 annual public lecture of the Society for
International Relations Awareness (SIRA) in Abuja with the theme
“Continuity and change in Nigeria’s foreign policy under President
Muhammadu Buhari.”

Many Nigerians have argued the terrorists should face the
consequences of their deeds rather than being pardoned or
rehabilitated by the government.

But Onyeama said the Federal Government was yet to decide what
to do with them.

Addressing the gathering, which includes foreign diplomats, the
Minister said: “The mechanisms we are adopting are local and we are
looking at experience from other countries in taking a definitive
decision on what to do. I guess we would also look at individual
case.

“We can’t just have a blanket decision. There are so many
aspects to that but the government is yet to take a definite
decision on that. I think very soon, we would have a definite
position.”

On the country’s foreign policy, he said it is difficult to say
as it varies from one country to another.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari as arrow head of the
country’s engagement diplomacy has yielded much fruit with the
appointment of many Nigerians into global and continental
bodies.

The Federal Government is yet to make definite pronouncement on
what will become of surrendered Boko Haram members, Minister of
Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama has said.

Onyeama spoke on Saturday amidst growing concerns over rumoured
plans by the government to reintegrate the surrendered Boko Haram
commandants and others to the society.

He spoke at the 2021 annual public lecture of the Society for
International Relations Awareness (SIRA) in Abuja with the theme
“Continuity and change in Nigeria’s foreign policy under President
Muhammadu Buhari.”

Many Nigerians have argued the terrorists should face the
consequences of their deeds rather than being pardoned or
rehabilitated by the government.

But Onyeama said the Federal Government was yet to decide what
to do with them.

Addressing the gathering, which includes foreign diplomats, the
Minister said: “The mechanisms we are adopting are local and we are
looking at experience from other countries in taking a definitive
decision on what to do. I guess we would also look at individual
case.

“We can’t just have a blanket decision. There are so many
aspects to that but the government is yet to take a definite
decision on that. I think very soon, we would have a definite
position.”

On the country’s foreign policy, he said it is difficult to say
as it varies from one country to another.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari as arrow head of the
country’s engagement diplomacy has yielded much fruit with the
appointment of many Nigerians into global and continental
bodies.