ACF Denies Endorsing Amnesty or Payments to Terrorists, Says Viral Clip Was Distorted

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming it endorsed amnesty and financial incentives for terrorists and bandits.

The organisation made the clarification in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba.

According to Muhammad-Baba, the claims originated from a “truncated and mischievously abstracted” video clip extracted from a recent television interview with Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Chairman of the forum’s Board of Trustees. He said the clip was taken out of context to push “predetermined conclusions,” particularly by what he described as “clandestine and shadowy” individuals or groups.

The ACF spokesperson explained that Dalhatu’s comments in the interview were largely personal and were misrepresented as an official endorsement of an amnesty programme similar to that initiated by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for Niger Delta militants.

“First, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu spoke mostly in his personal capacity, only sporadically alluding to official perspectives,” the statement read.

Muhammad-Baba noted that in the full interview, Dalhatu had “assertively and emphatically condemned the spate of terrorist activities in Nigeria” and called for “the total annihilation of the terrorists and bandits… within the shortest period possible.”

He added that Dalhatu’s reference to the Niger Delta amnesty was merely an example to underline that government could, where necessary, combine kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in tackling insecurity, and not a call for the replication of that model.

The ACF further stressed that Dalhatu made no ethnic or religious references in his remarks, describing contrary interpretations as “vile reactions” from mischievous actors.

Given the seriousness of the allegations, the forum said it found it necessary to publicly restate its stance.

“ACF hereby makes it categorically and unambiguously clear that at no time has the organisation called for any amnesty in favour of any terrorists or bandits,” the statement added.

The forum reaffirmed its unwavering support for the government and security agencies in the ongoing fight against insecurity.

“As always, ACF pledges full and unalloyed support to the Government and the security agencies in their various endeavours to stamp out the scourge of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria,” it said.