No fewer than 70 Boko Haram insurgents on
Wednesday, July 5 surrendered to the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.
Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Theatre
Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the
disclosure while presenting the repentant insurgents to journalists in Maiduguri.
Attahiru said the insurgents surrendered voluntarily sequel to various strategies evolved by the federal government to end insurgency in the North-East.
"Fifty seven out of the 70 surrendered Boko
Haram insurgents had been profiled. About
700 or more insurgents have also indicated
their intention to surrender," he said.
Attahiru added that the federal government
had initiated a "Safe Corridor Operation" to
encourage the insurgents to surrender and
facilitate their integration into responsible
members of the society.
The commander said that the suspects were
undergoing "level of interrogation'' as part of
the de-radicalisation process to integrate them into the society.
Also speaking, one of the insurgents called on
Boko Haram fighters to surrender.
The insurgent, who pleaded anonymity, dismissed the group's activities as unIslamic.
"I am calling on other Boko Haram insurgents
to lay down their arms, embrace peace and join the society.
"Some of them are apprehensive of what might happen to them after they surrender.
"We thank the Army, they gave clothes, and took care of us. No harassment or maltreatment meted out to us after we surrendered," the former insurgent said.
Shettima made the appeal while speaking at
this year's Eid el Fitr reception for members
of the State Executive Council and other
dignitaries at the Government House Maiduguri.
He said although the military had recorded
tremendous successes against the insurgents,
the recent spate of attacks in different parts
of the state was worrisome.
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