The Boko Haram insurgency would have been averted if there was justice and equity in the northern part of the country, the Arewa Youths Forum (AYF) has said.
The forum called on government to go back to the remote factors that led to the birth of the group, especially during the immediate past administration in Borno state, with a view of understanding the dynamics and how best to resolve the crisis.
The AYF at a media conference in Kaduna advocated that the Jonathan-led government should declare a season of forgiveness for all members of the group and urge them to surrender their arms so as to commence a genuine dialogue that could lead to peace and stability in the country.
The National President of the forum, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu maintained that since police approach could not yield the desired result towards curbing the activities of the group and increasing military presence in hot spots had heightened tension and encouraged the group to perfect its guerilla tactics, now was the time for President Goodluck Jonathan to opt for a diplomatic solution by first of all, declaring that the FG had forgiven all members of the group unconditionally.
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