Why Amaechi did not support the Amnesty Program

Nigerian transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi, explained in a recent interview with Channels TV why he did not support the Amnesty Program.

Rotitmi Amaechi

He wondered if Boko Haram terrorists should be also paid because Niger Delta militants were paid to drop their arms.
”Those supporting and sponsoring violence must stop. If you don’t encourage these criminals, they won’t be doing what they are doing. That was why I did not support the Amnesty Program because I believe that, if you break the law, you must be punished. ”

You don’t pay a lawbreaker because, if you do, you embolden him or her. I predicted that if you pay militants in the South, you must pay to militants in the North, too. So, if Boko Haram members come out now to demand that they want to be paid to lay down their arms, why shouldn’t we pay them? Or if MASSOB members say they will stop their protests but they want amnesty, what do we do?” Meanwhile, Boko Haram insurgents earlier this week carried out another attack in Borno state, having raided the village of Bori in Damboa LGA. Five civilians were reportedly killed.