Scores of Boko Haram members have surrendered with their weapons to the military, the Army said at the weekend. It said in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Colonel Sani Usman, that the suspected insurgents surrendered to troops prosecuting the counterinsurgency operations in the North-East now codenamed Operation Lafiya Dole. It added that more of the suspected insurgents have shown willingness to emulate their repentant former “comrades in arms” because of the new strategies adopted by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.
The army quoted the surrendered Boko Haram members as saying there were visible signs of “panic” and “hysteria” among the terrorists whose organisation have been degraded by the military. According to the statement, the Army will screen and deradicalise those that have surrendered, in line with global best practice, preparatory to reintegrating them back in the society. It said: “The new strategies being employed by the military have started yielding positive results with scores of terrorists surrendering to troops and many more willing to surrender.
“The new strategies employed included sustained offensive operations, preemptive air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force and routes blocking by ground troops, all geared towards constricting and snuffing out the Boko Haram terrorists. “Many of the terrorists that willingly surrendered painted images of mass panic and hysteria among their erstwhile colleagues, who are feeling the noose tightening on their necks with the relentless efforts of troops and renewed vigour in operations inspired by the personal leadership of the Chief of Army Staff.
“Terrorists also seem to have an inkling of what happens to surrendered suspects as regards screening and deradicalisation of innocent ones among them. “The Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies, will continue to devise and implement effective, strategies to bring Boko Haram terrorism to a speedy end. “It will also continue to receive surrendering suspects and assures innocent ones among them that surrender is the only option open to them. “The Nigerian Army wishes to also appreciate the great support and information it receives from well-meaning citizens. More of these are required to help towards quicker obliteration of the Boko Haram scourge in our nation.” Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari will, today, depart Abuja for Paris, France, to begin a three-day official visit.
His visit is on the invitation of President Francois Hollande for discussions that would strengthen economic ties between the two countries. A statement yesterday by presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari would be accompanied on the visit by the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), permanent secretaries in the Ministries of Defence, Finance, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as the chief executives of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
As the composition of his entourage indicates, Buhari’s talks in Paris with Hollande and other senior French government officials will focus on strengthening ongoing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and France in the areas of defence, security, trade and investments. Apart from his scheduled meeting with Hollande at the Elysee Palace on Monday evening, Buhari and his team will also confer with the French Minister of Defence, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French Minister of Finance and Public Accounts, Mr. Michel Sapin, the French Minister of Economy and Industry, Mr. Emmanuel Macron and the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Mr. Laurent Fabius.
The president will visit the Headquarters of MEDEF, France’s largest federation of investors and employers, where he will participate in a France/ Nigeria Investment Forum with leading Nigerian and French entrepreneurs. He will also confer with the chief executive officers of leading French multinational companies such as Total and Lafarge on their current and future investments in Nigeria. The president’s other scheduled engagements in Paris include a meeting with African ambassadors to France and an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community. He is expected back in Abuja on Wednesday.
