In a significant revelation, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters based in Abuja has disclosed that a staggering number of 1935 repentant Boko Haram terrorists have been reintegrated into Nigerian society. The announcement was made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, during a lecture titled “Non-Kinetic Operations and the Nigerian Armed Forces” at the opening session of a national security course on “Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication (PSYOPS).” The event, organized by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), centered on the theme “Winning Hearts and Minds for National Cohesion and Development.”
Representing the CDS, Rear Admiral Daupreye Matthew, the Director of Training at Defence Headquarters, emphasized that the military remains committed to the non-kinetic approach in addressing security challenges. Gen. Musa explained that the Operation Safe Corridor, employing non-kinetic efforts, led to the surrender of over 2000 Boko Haram members between 2016 and 2017.
Of particular note, 67% of those who surrendered belonged to the Abubakar Shekau faction of the insurgents. Additionally, it was revealed that 1543 repentant terrorists graduated from Mallam Sidi Camp in Gombe State, while 1935 were released from the Bulumkutu camp in Borno between 2016 and 2022.
General Musa provided recent statistics, stating that from July 2021 to May 4, 2022, a remarkable 51,828 terrorists and their family members surrendered, with 13,360 identified as fighters. The overall number of terrorists and their family members surrendering in the North East region reached an astonishing 106,000.
The purpose of the five-day national security course, focusing on the dynamics of psychological operations and strategic communication, aimed to enhance the understanding of security experts in these critical areas. The announcement sheds light on the multifaceted efforts employed by the Nigerian military in addressing the complex challenge of insurgency within the country.
