THE AMNESTY SAGA

Prior to the oil boom in 1956, Nigeria practiced an agrarian economic system. For instance, there was large-scale exportation of cash crops like palm produce (oil and kernel), groundnuts, cocoa, rubber, etc. However, with the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Oloibiri, Ogbia L.G.A in Bayelsa State, on 15^th January, 1956 by Shell Darcy, Nigeria semi-abandoned the agricultural sector. There was an upsurge of oil drilling and exportation in the country.

As a result of the oil exploration across the Niger Delta area of Nigeria, the agricultural fields and waters got polluted -- thus, making the Niger Delta area a predominantly poor place, coupled with the diminished involvement of fish farming due to the adverse effect of the water pollution. To make matters worse, although the Nigerian economy depended heavily on oil, the government didn’t deem it fit to compensate those affected adversely by oil exploration and pollution.

Thus, the Niger Deltan youths took the laws into their hands and caused constant chaos in the nation. The struggle scared oil investors and also affected the economy. The militancy of the Niger Deltans then came to a halt with the granting of amnesty by the President; the late President Umar Musa Yar’adua. This program helped the unemployed to learn skills and gain monthly salary. Thus, militancy gave them employment and a sense of being and as compensation for the exploitation of their water resources which adversely affected their primary means of livelihood; Fishing.

 The success of the amnesty program has thus led the movement of Boko Haram -- a terrorist group in Nigeria -- to demand for amnesty.

The Boko Haram is an Islamic terrorist group founded by Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf in 2002 in Maiduguri. The term Boko is a Hausa word which loosely translates to “animist” (making reference to Western, or non-Islamic, education), while Haram is an Arabic word which means “sin” or “forbidden”. Thus, Boko Haram is a religious-based terrorist group that strives to eradicate all forms of Western education and replace it with Islamic education and Sharia law.

The Boko Haram operated semi-peacefully until its leader Mohammed Yusuf was killed. It had its first terrorist attack in Borno in 2011. Since then, there has been a series of attacks nationwide. This has led to the loss of thousands of lives and properties. The Boko Haram terrorist group has facelessly demanded for amnesty.

 Amnesty according to the Oxford dictionary refers to official pardon given to persons who have committed political crimes. The crime committed by the Niger Deltans for which amnesty was granted is justifiable. However, the demand for amnesty by a religious terrorist group is absurd and would be insanity if they are granted.