A total of 132 suspected Boko Haram members have voluntarily surrendered to the Nigerian troop in the past few weeks. According to the Nigerian military, many will also be joining the list in the next few weeks.
P=This was revealed while parading before journalists five of the 17 insurgents that in the last one week surrendered at Kala Balge and Kumshe areas to the military, the head of the military counter-insurgency operation in the North-east (Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole), Major General Rogers Nicholas, said that within the last few weeks, about 132 Boko Haram terrorists voluntarily surrendered to the Nigerian Armed Forces in Bama, Monguno, Kala Balge, Damboa and Kumshe axis.
One of the surrendered Boko Haram members that spoke to journalists, Hassan Dahiru, said initially they were forcefully conscripted into the terrorist group but later realized that the activities of the group were not Islamic and against the religion of Islam by all ramifications.
Dahiru, who spoke for the four others, said: “We have highly regretted our actions, especially the killings and destructions,” noting that what Boko Haram has been doing is cruel and inhumane actions against humanity.
He said: “The only thing we want now is for God to forgive us and give us peace and fresh start.” He thanked God that the security agencies and President Muhammadu Buhari have given them the window to willingly surrender with assurances that they are now enjoying.
Major General Nicholas called on other Boko Haram members to come out and surrender. He assured them of security, medical treatment, rehabilitation, deradicalization and reintegration into the society.
