The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Abdulwahab Eyitayo, says more than 8,000 Boko Haram terrorists have so far surrendered to Nigerian troops. He said the terrorists surrendered from their enclaves in Sambisa Forest, as well as other hideouts.
Mr Eyitayo, who is also the Commander, Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed this during a visit by the Director, Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, and a team of Defence Correspondents from Abuja on Tuesday, in Maiduguri.
He said the surrender by the repentant terrorists was a welcome development, adding that, the overwhelming fire power of the troops was also a responsible factor: “One of the reasons they are surrendering in droves is the overwhelming fire power from the troops.
”It is because every man’s endeavour is motivated by his family’s wellbeing, that is why they are coming out with their families. We started seeing the signs from June.
“Our intensified operations had blocked their logistics’ routes and supplies, bombardments all over, that is why they started surrendering and diseases have overpowered many of them.
“It is better because in the end, the troops will clear all of them and their sympathisers combined,” he said.
The GOC warned that a time would come that the window of surrender would no longer be available, urging the sympathisers of the terrorists to encourage them to come out. KaHe added that whoever supported the enemies of the state would also be treated as an enemy by the state forces.
He said the military was more determined than ever to deal decisively with the terrorists and their supporters.
Modalities for surrender
On the handling of the surrendered terrorists, Mr Eyitayo disclosed that the Nigerian army was responsible for receiving, profiling or screening of the terrorists.
The GOC stated that afterwards, they would be handed over to the Borno government for further action.
He explained that a sizeable number of the surrendered terrorists comprised their wives and children, as well as those that were forcefully recruited into their folds.
Earlier, Mr Nwachukwu said the media tour was part of efforts to counter the wrong narratives and apprehensions generated by recent surrenders of the terrorists.
Mr Nwachukwu acknowledged and commended efforts of the troops in putting pressure on the terrorists to abandon their illicit activities.
The over a decade long insurgency in the North-east has led to the deaths of thousands of Nigerians and displacement of many more across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
The Boko Haram sect is seeking an independent Islamic state.
Much as it is gladdening to hear terrorists that have caused Nigeria terrible pain and losses are surrendering, it does not stop there.
From the GOC’s statement, it is obvious the insurgents surrendered, not because they genuinely repented but essentially because they cannot withstand the firepower of the troops, added to being ravaged by diseases. You cannot deradicalize an unrepentant terrorist. Many of them, if allowed to mingle with the unsuspecting public, can become saboteurs to government security and intelligence structures.