The Arewa Consultative Forum on Thursday warned against using ex-militants, who had benefitted from the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s amnesty programme to fight the Boko Haram insurgents in some part of the North.
The Forum, through its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim, on Thursday in Kaduna , noted that the plan to recall 10,000 retired soldiers back into the Nigerian Army to fight terrorists, was a welcome development.
It however demanded that the authorities should scrutinise those that would be recalled.
Ibrahim also said it was the view of the ACF that the issue of federal character be reflected in the selection process to ensure fair representation.
The ACF spokesman said it was also of the view of the northern body that on no accounts should the ex-militants be considered as beneficiaries of the exercise.
The forum said, “ACF particularly advises that those who have never been in the military and therefore, cannot be re-instated or recalled, should be precluded from the exercise, as on no should ex-militants, who after receiving formal training as part of amnesty, granted by the late President Umaru Yar’adua’s benevolence, be considered to benefit from the exercise. They are not qualified for either reinstatement or recall from the reserve list.
“It has been brought to the knowledge of Arewa Consultative Forum that the Federal Government has authorised the reinstatement of 10,000 retired soldiers back into the Nigeria Army. This, in the wisdom of government, is to boost the strength of the military to confront the insurgency that has engulfed the country.
“ACF welcomes this development, however, it wishes to caution the authorities responsible for the reinstatement to scrutinise the retired soldiers thoroughly and ensure that only persons qualified in accordance with military regulations are recalled. Furthermore, the issue of Federal character must be reflected in the selection process to ensure fair representation of all sections of the country.
“ACF therefore urges the authorities to display transparency and honesty in the reinstatement exercise.”
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