Ohanaeze Decries Exclusion of 1,443 Igbo Militants from FG Amnesty Programme

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has condemned the exclusion of 1,443 repented Biafran agitators and Igbo militants from the Federal Government’s amnesty programme under the military’s Operation Safe Corridor.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Deputy President-General of the organisation, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and its National Spokesman, Thompson Ohia, described the development as unjustifiable and discriminatory.

The apex Igbo socio-political group noted that since the inception of the programme, the Federal Government had granted amnesty to over 2,600 ex-combatants, yet none from the South-East had benefited.

Ohanaeze further described the exclusion of Ndigbo from national reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts as offensive and a clear act of marginalisation.

The group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and address what it termed an injustice against the Igbo people.

While acknowledging the Federal Government’s efforts in rehabilitating former insurgents, particularly the 700 repented Boko Haram and ISWAP members, the organisation questioned the disparity in treatment.

It said, “We commend the Federal Government for extending amnesty to over 700 repented Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, predominantly from the northern region. However, it raises serious concerns why the same opportunity is denied to 1,443 repented Biafran agitators and Igbo militants.

“Nigerians, especially the Igbo, deserve a clear explanation for this disparity. Why does the De-Radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme appear to favour northern insurgents, while excluding southern militants?”

Ohanaeze warned that the continued exclusion of repented militants from the South-East undermines national unity, peace, and security.

The group also urged the President and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to urgently review the policy and ensure inclusivity.

“It is unacceptable for the South-East and the Igbo nation to be excluded from federal amnesty programmes and even recruitment initiatives such as the National Forest Guards. This situation contradicts the principles of equity and justice and deepens the grievances of affected communities,” the statement added.