By: Gbenga Akingbule
Following continued air and ground bombardment of suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists camps and the non-Kinetic approach to the war against insurgency in the North East Region, the Nigeria Military said on Friday that facilities are being expanded to accommodate surrendering terrorists.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Military also revealed that the Federal Government of Nigeria is intensifying efforts at conducting a comprehensive Demobilization, Di association, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) Programme to ease pressure on the surrendered terrorists facilities.
Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Major General Christopher Musa made the revelation during a press conference held at the Theather Headquarters in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
According to Gen. Musa, efforts are already underway to open the fourth and fifth camps for surrendering Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists, noting that the Military dual approach of Kinetic and non-kinetic is yielding positive results, hence, the mass surrendering of the terrorists.
“We are aware that the 79,000 suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists that have surrendered will put a lot of pressure on the three camps, but efforts is being made to open a fourth and probably a fifth camp.
“We are sustaining all measures to ensure more suspected terrorist surrender and its patinent to note that what they (terrorists) are getting here is better that their situation in the bush,” Gen Musa said.
The Theatre Commander explained that some individuals who are not happy with the Military’s efforts at ensuring that more suspected terrorists lay down their arms, are busy spreading misleading information to discourage the terrorists from surrendering.
He said that the Military is aware of the propaganda in some quarters, but assured that all component of the Joint Operation Hadin Kai is on top of its game and will ensure it sustain its operations to make more suspected terrorists surrender.
“There are some Individuals that were trying to make sure they pass false information that will agitate those that have surrendered. I’m sure you’re aware that it’s not everyone that is happy that the terrorists are surrendering; moreso we are entering into elections season and some want to sabotage efforts that is being made.
“About 95% of the identified ex-combatants have remained committed to the process. We are sorting out the combatants and non-combatants- the non-combatants are being released after due consultation and identification by members of the community,” the Theatre Commander said.
Gen Musa added that base on the directive and leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lit. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, the Theatre is sustaining the war against Boko Haram /ISWAP terrorists despite the wet season.
He revealed that the all components of the OPHK have continued to neutralize huge numbers of suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and rescued many abducted persons including three more Chibok schoolgirls.
“The Chief of Army Staff gave us a directive that we should ensure we sustain the operational activities throughout the theatre to achieve the mandate of the theather and that’s what we’re doing. There won’t be any respite and we will make the place very untenable for them (terrorists), and we will encourage those that are willing to surrender so that we can have total peace in the North East,” Gen Musa said.
