Nigerian soldiers are facing a difficult time accepting ‘repentant’ Boko Haram terrorists, lamenting that they are victims of the insurgents’ atrocities.

The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, stated that the military had advised the governments on the need to involve the victims in dialogue on the handling of the surrendered terrorists.

According to him, some victims are military men, pointing out that the army has lost “wonderful” officers and soldiers.

“So, for us to even accept them has been very difficult, but professionally we are meant to do that. Once we have those windows and they are working, we are meant to ensure that we arrest them to bring them in, and then the nation will take its proper cause through the constitution, and that is what is going to happen,” the military officer added. “We want them to agree to understand fully that Operation Hadin Kai is just doing its own bit and the military operation is just one line of operation, which is about 20 per cent while the remaining 80 per cent has to do with diplomacy, humanitarian, justice, the rule of law and all these things.”

Mr Musa also noted that the profiling of the surrendered terrorists was in the hands of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), SSS, and other security agencies.

“We have also invited the National Identity Management Agency (NIMC), who are taking the profiles of everybody. They take the thumb and pictures, and so, even after this, we know what they are doing. We know where they are and know where he goes to,” said the theatre commander. “This goes to show you that we are taking the proper procedure, and nobody is going to be compromised.”

He stated that ISWAP terrorist group was a foreign terrorist organisation sponsored by foreigners with some local collaborations, adding that the terrorists are refusing to surrender belonged to ISWAP.

“It is very clear that ISWAP (terrorists) are foreigners coming to invade our country, which we will never allow to happen. That is why I want to encourage those of them, especially those members that are with them, to pull out and understand that they have no stake in what those guys are doing,” the army commander warned. “They don’t wish the country well. They don’t wish themselves well, and we will never allow any foreigner (to) step an inch on the ground in Nigeria.”

(NAN)