MAIDUGURI — The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Brig.-Gen. Abdulwahab Eyitayo, says more than 8,000 Boko Haram terrorists have so far surrendered to troops
Eyitayo, who is also the Commander, Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed this during a visit by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu and a team of Defence Correspondents from Abuja on Tuesday, in Maiduguri.
He said the terrorists surrendered from their enclaves in Sambisa Forests, as well as other hideouts, noting that the surrender by the repentant terrorists was a welcome development, maintained that the overwhelming firepower of the troops was responsible.
“This is because every man’s endeavour is motivated by his family’s wellbeing, which is why they are coming out with their families. We started seeing the signs from June.
“Our intensified operations had blocked their logistics’ routes and supplies, bombardments all over, that are why they started surrendering and diseases have overpowered many of them.”
“It was better because in the end, the troops will clear all of them and their sympathizers combined.”
He warned that “A time would come that the window of surrender would no longer be available; sympathizers of the terrorists should encourage them to come out,” Eyitayo said.
The GOC explained that whoever supported the enemies of the state would also be treated as an enemy by the state forces, adding that the military was more determined than ever to deal decisively with the terrorists and their supporters.
Eyitayo disclosed that the Nigerian army was responsible for receiving, profiling, or screening the terrorists afterward, they would be handed over to the Borno government for further action.
Earlier, the director, army public relations, said the media tour was part of efforts to counter the wrong narratives and apprehensions generated by recent surrenders of the terrorists.
He acknowledged and commended the efforts of the troops in putting pressure on the terrorists to abandon their illicit activities.
