Okocha Cautions On Amnesty Offer

Former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief O.C.J. Okocha, SAN, has cautioned the Federal Government against taking any hasty decision to grant  amnesty to members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

Chief Okocha who stated this in a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt said that rushing to grant amnesty to the Islamic sect will have serious political and criminal implications on the nation.

He said that the situation could provide opportunity for criminal groups in the country to unleash terror on the citizenry.

‘The situation has a very serious political and criminal implications for the country, if it is not handled properly, because other criminal groups are waiting” he said.

The former NBA president said that the presidency need to set up a high powered team to investigate the motive behind the activities of the sect before initiating a negotiation process.

Okocha said that, the team need to investigate the modus operandi of the Islamic sect, identify those involved in its activities as well as its sources of sponsorship.

The former NBA president who regretted the continuous loss of lives as a result of the activities of the sect stressed the need for  security agencies to step up efforts in tracking down the sect members responsible for the series of killings in parts of the north.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have expressed fear over the extension of the activities of the sect to other parts of the country.

A cross section of those who spoke to The Tide in Port Harcourt also urged the police authority to ensure checking of vehicles especially those coming from the  northern part of the country.

One of the new talents in the National Sports Festival, Edward Osim of Rivers State, during cycling compeition yesterday.