The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has kicked over the reported move of the Federal Government to grant amnesty to 700 terrorists while excluding 1,443 former Biafra agitators and Igbo militants.
Its Deputy President General and National Spokesman, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Chief Thompson Ohia, stated this position.
In a statement issued by Isiguzoro and Ohia on Sunday, the stated: “The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, is compelled to raise an urgent and forceful objection to the deliberate and unjustifiable exclusion of 1443 repented Former Biafran Agitators and Igbo militants from the Federal Government’s Amnesty programme under the military’s Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC). Since its inception, over 2600 ex-combatants have passed through this rehabilitation programme, yet not a single Igbo ex-combatant has been allowed to benefit. This deliberate exclusion of Ndigbo from national reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts is not only offensive but also a clear act of marginalization. Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and end this glaring injustice.
“While we, in the spirit of constructive dialogue, commend the Federal Government for its amnesty initiatives extended to 700 repented Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, predominantly from the northern regions, we must ask: why does the Federal Government afford such generous attention to reintegrating over 700 terrorists, while denying the same opportunity to 1443 repented Biafra Agitators and Igbo militants? The Nigerian people, especially the Igbo, are entitled to demand an explanation for this glaring disparity. Why is the Federal Government’s De-Radicalisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DRR) Programme seemingly designed to benefit northern terrorists exclusively, while Southern Nigerian militants—particularly the 1443 repented Biafra Agitators—are intentionally excluded?
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, for the sake of clarity, acknowledges the necessity of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts in rehabilitating former terrorists, but we also emphasize that the exclusion of the Igbo and Southeast region from the broader DRR programme is both inequitable and counterproductive. The failure to incorporate repented militants from the Southeast undermines the broader goals of national unity, peace, and security. This marginalization of Ndigbo must not be allowed to continue, as it only exacerbates existing regional tensions and perpetuates feelings of exclusion and alienation among the Igbo people.
“We strongly urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser to the President, to urgently address this matter and rectify the gross oversight in national policy. It is unconscionable for the Southeast and the entire Igbo nation to be excluded from all Federal Government Amnesty Programmes, as well as from the recruitment initiatives for the National Forest Guards. This exclusion is not only a betrayal of the principles of justice and equity but also an affront to the many Igbo families affected by the ongoing violence and insecurity resulting from these misguided policies.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo insists that the inclusion of the 1443 Igbo militants and repented Biafra Agitators in the DRR programme is non-negotiable. These individuals, drawn from the seven Igbo-speaking states—including Anioma in Delta State and Ikwerre in Rivers—represent a significant portion of the Igbo population. Their reintegration into society through the DRR programme will help alleviate the lingering violence and insecurity in the region, which stems from their continued neglect by the Federal Government. We also demand that all prisoners of conscience, including Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, be included in any future amnesty deals. It is only through such inclusive measures that lasting peace and stability can be achieved.
“President Tinubu must recognize that the exclusion of the Igbo from the nation’s amnesty initiatives is not only unjust but also impractical. By closing the door to reconciliation, the Federal Government risks perpetuating a cycle of unrest and disenchantment, which benefits no one. The time for urgent action is now, and it is incumbent upon the President to make an unequivocal statement on this issue and direct the immediate inclusion of the 1443 Igbo militants in the amnesty programme.
“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls on the Federal Government to put an immediate end to this policy of exclusion and to embrace a more inclusive approach that reflects the true spirit of national unity. The inclusion of Igbo militants in the amnesty programme is not just a matter of justice—it is a critical step towards restoring peace and healing the wounds of a divided nation.”
