New reports says 240 Boko Haram fighters have voluntarily surrendered to
the Nigerian Army after they came under intense fire from troops,
authorities said Monday.
The
Chief Military Public Information Officer, Muhammad Dole, said in a
statement.
“The firepower of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) ground
troops and joint Air operation during the Operation GAMA AIKI forced a
massive defection of remnants of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT),”
“Sustained offensive operations and blockage of logistics supply
routes made the terrorists’ locations untenable; as a result, BHT and
their families abandoned their locations and surrendered with their arms
to the nearest locations of the ground forces in the operation areas.”
“A total of Two Hundred and Forty (240) Boko
Haram Terrorists (BHT) surrendered some of them with arms and
ammunition. They are being profiled and camped in Bagasola. During his
operational visit to Sector 2 AOR, the Commander MNJTF, Major General
Lamidi Adeosun addressed the ex -BHT and their families.
“The Commander commended the leaders of the ex- BHT for their courage
and taking the right decision to abandoned terrorism and insurgency for
normal life. He assured them of safety and good care as long as they
remain in the camps. He also urged them to encourage their colleagues in
the bush to stop fighting and join them in the camps.
“This peaceful disarming and profiling of the ex-BHT by the MNJTF
forces, clearly demonstrated extent of professionalism and adherence to
International Humanitarian Laws and Laws of Armed Conflict in combat
operations” he added. The Commander MNJTF donated token cash for
purchase of two cows and 10 bags of assorted food stuff for each of the 2
groups for the welfare and up keep of the ex-BHT and their families.
“This brings the total number of surrendered BHT to MNJTF troops in sector 2 to four hundred and sixty-four.
“While addressing a team of International Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) operating in the camps, the Commander praised their
commitment and sacrifice in discharging their humanitarian duties. He
implored them to mobilise more resources and manpower, as more BHT are
expected to defect and join their colleagues in the camps.
“The ex-BHT are expected to receive trainings in different skills and
small businesses as scheduled by government agencies and NGOs.
“In another development, the Commander MNJTF made presentation of
cash to representatives of officers and soldiers who were killed in
Action (KIA) and Wounded in Action (WIA) during Operation GAMA AIKI.
“As part of encouragement and alleviation of suffering to the
victims’ families and wounded personnel, the Headquarters, MNJTF made
provisions of One Million CFA (1,000,000.00 cfa) only for each family of
KIA and Five Hundred Thousand CFA (500,000.00 cfa) only for each WIA in
the battle field.
“During the presentations in Sector 2 Bagasola (Chad) and Sector 4
Diffa (Niger), General Adeosun prayed for the souls of the departed
colleagues for the supreme sacrifice they made in the service to
humanity and praised the courage and bravery displayed by the WIA.
“He equally consoled the families of the KIA and prayed for quick
recuperation of the WIA. In sector 2 Bagasola, Commander was accompanied
during the visit to ex-BHT camps by the Coordinator/Chief of Staff of
the Chadian Ground Forces and Red Barrettes, Major General Ismael Hour,
Deputy Commander, MNJTF, Brigadier General Musa Muhammad Djour and
Senior Prefect of Bagasola.”
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