Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has hinted at the likelihood of floating an amnesty programme for Boko Haram insurgents who continue to perpetrate shocking acts of terror in parts of the North.

The Nigerian leader, who dropped the hint this morning in a broadcast to mark 15 years of the country’s return to democratic rule, however, gave a condition to be met by the insurgents – they first have to renounce violence.

Jonathan said: “For our citizens who have joined hands with Al Qaeda and international terrorists in the misguided belief that violence can possibly solve their problems, our doors remain open to them for dialogue and reconciliation, if they renounce terrorism and embrace peace.

“My government, while pursuing security measures, will explore all options, including readiness to accept unconditional renunciation of violence by insurgents, and to ensure their de-radicalization, rehabilitation and re-integration into the broader society.”

Boko Haram, which claims to be fighting to eradicate Western education and Islamise Nigeria, has murdered thousands o people in a campaign of violence started in 2009.

Jonathan in his broadcast identified “extremist foreign elements,” “Al Qaeda and international terrorists” as well as “some of our misguided citizens” as those behind the terror campaign by Boko Haram.

He lamented their desperation “to bring down our country and the democracy and freedom we cherish and celebrate” but reassured that his administration would do everything humanly possible to solve the problem.

•Photo shows Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.