Prosecution Of Surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists: Lai Mohammed Says He Was Misquoted

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that he was misquoted in the report earlier attributed to him on the incapacity of the Federal Government to effect the prosecution of repentant Boko Haram members.

The minister, who spoke in Washington DC. on Saturday, said he was misrepresented in the report claiming  “the decision of the Federal Government not to prosecute repentant insurgents was in line with global best practice”

 GreenWhiteGreen GWG reports that the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN had earlier quoted Lai Mohammed as adducing reasons why repentant Boko Haram terrorists cannot be prosecuted. He had claimed that it was against conventions to prosecute surrendered combatants.

The minister nevertheless  reiterated his position that the call for the shooting of the repentant insurgents without profiling and prosecution was against best global practice.

Lai Mohammed said his words on the prosecution of Boko Haram fighers were unambiguous and repeated what he said in the report.

“I personally spoke to the military authority before I left Nigeria and they said what they were doing is what the global practice dictates about soldiers that surrendered that should be treated as prisoners of war.

“You cannot just shoot them because there are international conventions that give rights also to prisoners of war.

“What the military is doing is that, when they surrender, they profile them to ensure that they are genuine and reintegrate them into the society,’’ he said.

He reiterated his position that the fact that the country was witnessing insurgents submitting in droves calls for commendation of the President Muhammadu Buharu and military for their doggedness.

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