12/19/2024 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — Nigerian authorities have once again ignited controversy by granting a blanket amnesty to Muslim Fulani extremists, also referred to as bandits by the authorities, notorious for decades of brutal attacks on Christian communities in the country.
The decision, spearheaded by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, has drawn outrage from Christian leaders, who view this move as prioritizing the rehabilitation of Muslim terrorists over justice for thousands of Christians displaced or killed in the name of jihad. While Christian communities continue to suffer the aftermath of relentless violence, the government’s actions could embolden the perpetrators of these atrocities.
Governor Sani’s Nov. 29 pardon for the so-called “repentant” bandits in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna, involved some of the most infamous figures on the Nigerian military’s wanted list. These individuals, responsible for mass killings, kidnappings, rapes, ethnic cleansing, and slavery, have terrorized Christian communities for more than a decade. Victims of their rampages can be found throughout the Middle Belt, including Plateau state. Despite their crimes, these bandits are being reintegrated into society, a decision that undermines the rule of law and signals a worrying disregard for the sanctity of human life, especially Christian lives.
Christian leaders have not remained silent. The Rev. James Pam, a church leader and retired academic based in Plateau state, has sharply criticized the decision, calling it a betrayal of justice and decency.
“Amnesty for what? For killing fellow Nigerians?” he asked, as reported by Truth Nigeria. The Rev. Pam argued that offering pardons to unrepentant terrorists is an affront to the victims who continue to languish in trauma and despair. He emphasized that such individuals should be prosecuted according to the law and made to face appropriate consequences for their actions. Granting amnesty to such criminals, Pam noted, not only robs victims of justice but also trivializes the immense suffering they have endured.
The government’s amnesty policy has also shone a harsh light on the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. The Rev. Pam revealed that an overwhelming majority of IDPs in the country — about 90% — are Christians, displaced from their homes by Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists. These individuals are living in deplorable conditions in camps, neglected by the very authorities that should protect them. Rather than addressing their needs, the government appears more concerned with rehabilitating the perpetrators of their suffering. This neglect highlights a broader systemic bias that has characterized the Nigerian government’s approach to managing the country’s ongoing security crisis.
The Rev. Pam did not mince words in accusing Northern governors and the federal government of marginalizing Christian communities in favor of Muslim extremists. He argued that this trend has left Christian communities vulnerable as attacks on their villages continue unabated. The granting of amnesty to terrorists only deepens the sense of injustice, leaving many Christians questioning the government’s commitment to their protection. The state’s failure to prosecute attackers and ensure justice for victims further erodes trust in its institutions and exposes a glaring double standard in its approach to security.
The Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the former chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna state, echoed the Rev. Pam’s sentiments, TruthNigeria reported. While acknowledging that amnesty could, in theory, encourage terrorists to renounce violence, he emphasized that such measures must be balanced with justice for the victims. For Hayab, the ongoing neglect of IDPs, who have lost their homes and livelihoods to these terrorists, is indefensible. He questioned the sincerity of the so-called repentance of these militants and raised concerns about the credibility of deradicalization programs.
“Granting amnesty to these terrorists without holding them accountable perpetuates a sense of injustice and inequality,” Hayab said. He argued that any genuine rehabilitation effort must prioritize the needs of victims, particularly the Christians languishing in IDP camps. Their ongoing suffering stands in stark contrast to the preferential treatment being extended to their oppressors. By failing to provide restitution or even basic support to victims, the government has effectively sent the message that the lives of Christians hold little value in the country’s political calculations.
The controversy surrounding the amnesty program also raises broader questions about Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy. While the government insists that deradicalization is essential to ending the insurgency, critics argue that the approach is fundamentally flawed. The failure to properly vet those who claim to have repented, coupled with the lack of accountability for their past crimes, undermines public trust and emboldens other extremists. Furthermore, the absence of meaningful reparations for victims perpetuates a cycle of resentment and alienation, particularly among Christian communities.
In the meantime, Christian leaders like Rev. Pam and Rev. Hayab continue to call for justice, refusing to remain silent in the face of government policies that disregard the suffering of their communities. Their voices are a reminder that true peace cannot be achieved without accountability and equal protection for all. For the thousands of Christians still displaced by jihadist violence, these calls for justice represent a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak reality.
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