Nigerian military releases hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists

How long does it take to profile hundreds of terrorists that claimed repentance between August 12 and September 1? How long does disarmament, deradicalisation and re-integration last?

The Defence Headquarters never announced this when it proclaimed the release of 565 hard-boiled Boko Hraam fighters September 2.

According to Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, who announced this while addressing journalists at Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the penitent terrorists were released to the Borno government.

“A total of 565 BHT’s comprising three commanders, four amirs, five Nakibs and five cattle rustling specialists, out of the surrendered BHTs and their family members were handed over to the Borno State government in Maiduguri for further management after thorough profiling,” he said.

For a fact, the DDR programme runs under the management of the DHQ—as the Operation Safe Corridor. And in the past, it was when repentant terrorists underwent the programme they got handed over to their state government.

Borno citizens have been worrying about the possibility of living with re-integrated members of one of the world’s bloodiest terrorist groups who have upended the lives of over a million IDPs and over 40,000 dead victims in the northeast.

Bu the military authorities have been preoccupied with celebrating the mass surrender of members of one of the bloodiest terrorist groups in the world.

Onyeuko also disclosed that between August 12 and September 1, more than 5,890 terrorists comprising foot soldiers and their commanders surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East.

“Within the period under review, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained their operations against terrorists in the North East theatre. The counter-insurgency efforts of the troops through kinetic and non-kinetic operations compelled the terrorists to surrender in large numbers,” he said.

But the repentance of some of these terrorists is in question.

No fewer than three forgiven bandits in Katsina, the National Daily reported, were moonlighting as robbers, fraudsters, cattle rustlers before the police caught them.