Investigate Boko Haram, Obasanjo advises FG

BY KOLADE LAREWAJU
ABEOKUTA— FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday said that there was need for the Federal Government to seek more information on the activities of the Boko Haram sect in addressing the security challenge posed by the group.

Obasanjo, who spoke  with newsmen at his Hill top residence in Abeokuta, after receiving the award of the Grand Peace Legend from the African Peace Foundation, said that the nation required adequate information on the activities of the sects, especially the motive behind their actions, and their sponsors before the problem could be effectively tackled.

He said: “I believe a group of people acting strangely when they are not insane must have their reasons. I believe these people are not insane and so there must be reasons for their actions. Even though you may not necessarily agree with their reasons but we must try and find out why they are doing what they are doing, those behind them both internally and externally.

“We must not take this for granted as the lives of majority of Nigerians are at risk. We need information to tackle the Boko Haram issue. There is so much to know and so much to find out about them. If there is the need to deal with them through the stick and carrots approach, we must be able to know what should be the ‘stick’ and what should be the ‘carrots’.”

On whether amnesty should be granted to the sect, Obasanjo warned against abuse of amnesty process.