Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu-Uche, Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to pay repentant Boko Haram terrorists and bandits N25, 000 monthly stipends.
Kanu-Uche said hunger and poverty forced northerners to embrace terrorism and banditry.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the cleric appealed to the federal government not to underestimate the influence Ahmad Gumi has in the fight against banditry.
He noted that payment of such stipends will stop youths in the region from engaging in terrorism.
Kanu-Uche said Gumi could help the government to develop measures in tackling banditry in the north.
He added that Gumi’s access to bandits in the north could be used as an advantage to beat them into submission.
“If the government, rather than criticising Gumi, engages him positively, he can bring a solution. You don’t dismiss him and say he is a bad man. If he goes to the bush and they (bandits) have confidence in him, the government can dialogue with them,” he said.
“Let me tell you, these boys are being used by politicians. If you engage them and be paying them N25,000 monthly, they will not kidnap. All they want is food.”
