- Total of 882 “repentant” Boko Haram members now reintegrated back to society
- Seven sea pirates arrested in Niger Delta region
The Nigerian Armed Forces on Thursday said that 602 “repentant” Boko Haram members have sworn Oath of Allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria after completing the military’s De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Re-integration (DRR) programme reintegrating back into the society.
Speaking during the review of military activities spanning 9 June to July 16, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General John Enenche said that altogether, 882 “repentant” Boko Haram members have passed through the DRR coordinated by Operation SAFE CORRIDOR. Two hundred and eighty (280) had earlier graduated.
General Enenche said that in the Northeast, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE (OPLD) recorded tremendous successes, conducting “several operations at various locations, which led to the neutralization of terrorists, destruction of their equipment and structures as well as recovery of various items. This is in addition to several air bombardments at different terrorist’s locations at the fringes of the Sambisa forest and Bulabulin in Damboa LGA of Borno State. Additionally, several BHT/ISWAP criminals and gun trucks were deleted.
“Meanwhile, in Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, 602 repentant Boko Haram members swore Oath of Allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The ex-insurgents who have completed de-radicalization, rehabilitation and re-integration programme at Malam Sidi Camp took the Oath before an 11 member quasi-judicial panel. The reason behind the Oath of Allegiance is to emphasize their loyalty, discipline and obedience to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby making a commitment. The implication is that, at the end of the programme, if they commit any offence, they stand to forfeit all privileges and will be liable for offence against the State.
“It is heartwarming to state that Operation SAFE CORRIDOR has successfully coordinated the DRR programme for 882 ex Boko Haram members including the 280 earlier graduated. Thus, the message here is clear to others out there; surrender and be profiled accordingly for the DRR privilege.”
General Enenche also noted that in the Niger Delta region, the Land and Maritime components of Operation DELTA SAFE with troops of 3 Battalion arresting seven suspected sea pirates at Snake creek in Warri South-West LGA of Delta State.
The suspects claimed they were members of Ogje-Ijoh Coastal Watch and were allegedly extorting money and other valuables from the locals within the creek. Items recovered from them are 2 double barrel guns, one pump action gun, 12 live cartridges and 6 handsets.
In the Northwest zone of the country, the Defence Spokesperson said that the ongoing Operation SAHEL SANITY has “aggressively” routed out armed bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers and other criminal elements from the zone while the air bombardments conducted by the Air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI “has led to the neutralization of several bandits and their Logistics bases in Kwuyanbana forest in Zamfara State.”
He also said that within the period, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY have rescued five kidnapped victims who were abducted in Isa and Sabon Birni LGAs of Sokoto State last month.
Stating that five members of Yan Sakai group as well as a gun fabricator along Maga-Kyabu-Tadurga village, the military said that its Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI killed six 6 armed bandits at Komani Hills within Rukudawa general area of Zamfara State and recovered arms and ammunition including 34 motorcycles.
In addition, 714 rustled livestock comprising 302 rustled cows and 412 sheep were recovered in Zamfara State.
In Northcentral zone, General Enenche stated that troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN and WHIRL STROKE conducted several clearance patrols and air operations at various locations which resulted in killing four bandits in Benue and Taraba States, destroying their makeshift camp and recovering arms and ammunition.
As part of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities, he said, Operations SAFE HAVEN and WHIRL STROKE provided “borehole to a Fulani community at Miyangu and construction of school in Pashu community of Plateau State. Equally, Operation WHIRL STROKE has drilled three new boreholes at Guma LGA of Benue State.
Enenche stated that “Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE discovered and destroyed a sea robbers camp containing 80,000 litres of illegally refined AGO at Otoyo in Eastern Obolo LGA of Akwa Ibom State. Relatedly, troops of 146 battalion and Forward Operating Base Bonny raided militants’ hideouts at Ijawkiri in Bonny LGA of Rivers State. During the raid, troops recovered a pistol loaded with 6 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 17 phones, one Walkie Talkie and speedboat mounted with a 75HP engine.
“In another development, Operation CALM WATERS and Operation SWIFT RESPONSE (OSR) have continued to record remarkable successes. Within this period, 112 bags of 50 kg foreign parboiled rice were impounded. These operations were conducted with the combined teams of Operation SWIFT RESPONSE and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) strike force. These operations are targeted at reducing the smuggling of contrabands into the country.”