315 Boko Haram fighters have surrendered –DHQ

Following renewed military offensives against Boko Haram in the North-East, about 315 members of the radical sect have since surrendered to the state. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) made the disclosure yesterday in a statement by Group Captain W. Gida. The DHQ said it has inaugurated a committee to facilitate the re-integration of repentant members of the violent sect and others.

Those willing to surrender will also be accommodated by the committee, which comes on the heels of a presidential directive. According to the DHQ, “About 315 terrorist members have surrendered and are being detained at isolated camps to ensure that the terrorists submit to state control.

The current unfavourable situation for the terrorists in the battlefield has resulted in large number of the insurgents willing to surrender their arms to embrace peace. “So far, military operations in the contested area have yielded remarkable successes, following the immediate review of the security forces strategy, approach and concept of operation designed to neutralise the operational capabilities of the terrorists and rout them out before the year’s end.

“Several strongholds, hideouts and camps of the Boko Haram terrorists have been cleared and taken over by our military forces.”

Membership of the committee, was drawn from “relevant federal government agencies involved in the counterinsurgency operation and representatives of states in the North- East and Jigawa.” Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has said it has information that Boko Haram suspects, now resort to poisoning streams and wells in areas where they were dislodged.

Consequently, the Army, in a statement by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Tukur Gusau, has advised the public, to “avoid as much as possible drinking water from unverified sources especially in locations that troops routed out Boko Haram terrorists.”

The army said: “Information reaching the Theatre Command, OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE indicates that Boko Haram terrorists have now resorted to poisoning water sources like wells and streams in areas they were dislodged by gallant troops or areas threatened by offensive operations. “The latest being the poisoning of the cattle water ponds in Kangallam village along Marte and Abdam axis in Borno State where a large number of cattle died after drinking water from the ponds.

Credible information available to the Theatre Command indicates that though no human life was lost as a result of the barbaric act of the terrorists, however, some cattle were killed after drinking water from some poisoned sources. In a related development, troops have killed two fleeing fighters, after laying an ambush for them.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Colonel Sani Usman, said troops ambushed and killed two fleeing terrorists as well as captured several weapons and supplies yesterday. In another development, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to build separate prison facilities for terrorists and insurgents.