Some former members of the Boko Haram group protested in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, at the weekend, alleging neglect by the government.
This came as four commanders of the terrorist group,13 other fighters, and their 45 family members surrendered to troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
About 6,900 members of Boko Haram had surrendered to the Nigerian authorities and renounced their membership of the terrorist organisation.
The former terrorists, who are undergoing a deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri, broke out of the facility and protested on the streets asking the government to pay them the N30,000 allowance it had promised.
The protest caused tension and gridlock along the Bulumkutu – Maiduguri Highway before the security operatives arrived to douse the tension.
The former Islamists reportedly said they were forced to protest to register their disappointment to the world and the authorities because they had been neglected, left without adequate food and other welfare amenities.
They said the authorities concerned had promised to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into the society to enable them to live a lawful life as responsible Nigerians.
Reacting to the development, the state’s Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said ‘biometrics registration’ for repentant insurgents had resumed after the incident.
“As normalcy restored, officials of Borno State Government have on Friday resumed the biometrics data capture of repentant Boko Haram insurgents.
“A total of 6,900 repentant insurgents are processed under the multi-agency framework of Disarmament, Demobilisation, Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation, Reconciliation, and Reintegration (DDDRRR) otherwise known as the “Borno Model,” Mr Tar added.
He explained that the data processing process was scheduled to be conducted in six batches by a certified team of intelligence and ICT experts with the utmost level of professionalism and confidentiality in data management.
“Due to a bridge in communication, those who were supposed to appear for the data capture at a later date appeared on Friday, August 18, 2023, and this led to confusion at a camp where the exercise was being conducted.
“The Borno State government wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control and normalcy has been restored at the venue of the biometric exercise.
“The incident illustrated the sensitive task which authorities face in re-inserting former fighters back into communities that have often suffered from years of attacks and kidnappings during a 13-year Islamist insurgency,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, four commanders of the terrorist group, 13 other fighters, and their 45 family members have surrendered to troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
A statement by the Force Spokesperson MNJTF, Lt Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, said the feat follows escalating kinetic and non-kinetic operations by the Joint Task Force, coupled with a dwindling logistic supply in Boko Haram hideouts.
He said between 14 to 15 August 2023, “four key Boko Haram commanders, 13 main fighters, and a total of 45 family members, laid down their arms and surrendered to troops of Sector 3 MNJTF in Cross Kauwa and Baga of Kukawa Local Government, Nigeria.”
The terrorists surrendered; seven AK-47 rifles, one FN Rifle (SLR), nearly 440 rounds of assorted calibre ammunition, and other essential tools of insurgency.
In a breakdown, he stated that two commanders, nine main fighters, and 21 family members surrendered on 14 August 2023 to troops of 19 Brigade in Cross Kauwa and 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga.
The terrorists voluntarily surrendered six AK 47 rifles, one FN Rifle (SLR), 20 magazines (with two fully loaded), 12 rounds of 5.6-millimeter ammunition, two hand grenades, three Bandoliers, and 180 rounds of 7.62-millimeter ammunition amongst numerous items.
Again, on 15 August 2023, two other commanders, four fighters, and 24 family members surrendered.
He said the terrorists who surrendered at the 403 Amphibious Brigade location in Baga, submitted two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 99 rounds of 7.62-millimeter ammunition, two transistor radios, a cash sum of N213,800 and a variety of personal items.
“In response to this major breakthrough, the MNJTF has re-echoed an urgent call to all remaining Boko Haram insurgents, urging them to embrace peace and surrender as operations intensify,” he said.
He reiterated that MNJTF remains committed to fortifying the stability of the Lake Chad Basin region.
“Violence is not a viable course. Surrender provides the safest route towards peace and rehabilitation,” he advised.
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Follow us on:
IGP Egbetokun has ordered an investigation into Jimoh Abdulquadri’s death in police custody, promising justice…
Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that Elon Musk is the true influence behind the newly…
Tiger Woods' son Charlie has achieved his first golf hole-in-one during the final round of…
New Zealand has rejected the Cook Islands’ proposal for a separate passport, requiring full independence…
Honda and Nissan plan a merger to create the world’s third-largest automaker, aiming to finalise…
Trump has selected ex-bank president Mauricio Claver-Carone as Latin America envoy, despite past misconduct allegations…
View Comments
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇Golf 1 #300, 000
Golf 2 #350, 000
Golf 3 #400, 000
Golf 4 #450, 000
Golf 5 #550,000
CALL OR WHATSAPP ME ON THIS NUMBER CUSTOM OFFICER
Toyota Camry 2.2 #550,000
Toyota Camry 2.4 #750,000
Toyota Corolla #700,000
Toyota Spider #850,000
Toyota Muscle #850,000
Toyota Matrix #700,000
Toyota Avalon #850,000
Toyota Avensis #750,000
Toyota Picnic #550,000
Toyota Sienna #950,000
Toyota Rav4 #850,000
Toyota Sequoia #950,000
Toyota Tacoma #2.5M
Toyota 4Runner #950,000
Lexus Ex300 #750,000
Lexus Ex330 #950,000
Lexus Ex350 #1.3M
Lexus Rx300 #950,000
Lexus Rx330 #1.2M
Lexus Rx350 #1.5M
Lexus Gx470 #2.5M
Mercedes Benz ML350 #1.9M
Mercedes Benz GLK #3.5M
Bags of Rice #11,500 Per Bag
Groundnut Oil 25litres #12,500 Per Gallon...O7O 4540 6674 }