The clergyman opined that hunger and poverty made the Northerners embrace terror and banditry.
The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu-Uche, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to pay repentant members of the Boko Haram terrorist group and bandits N25,000 monthly stipends.
The clergyman opined that hunger and poverty made the Northerners embrace terror and banditry.
According to him, the payment of such stipends would stop those youths from engaging in criminal activities.
According to Daily Post, Kanu-Uche spoke on Monday, while appealing to the Federal Government not to underestimate the influence of controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, in the fight against banditry.
He noted that Gumi could help the government develop measures in tackling banditry in the North.
Kanu-Uche said Gumi’s access to bandits in the North could be used as an advantage to beat them into submission.
The Methodist Prelate said: “Who are those collecting ransom for bandits? If the government rather than criticising Gumi, engages him positively, he can bring a solution. You don’t dismiss him and say he is a bad man.
”If he goes to the bush and they (bandits) have confidence in him, the government can dialogue with them. Let me tell you, these boys are being used by politicians. I am telling you to quote me.
“If you engage them and pay them N25,000 monthly, they will not kidnap. All they want is food.”