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The Nigerian Army has disclosed that top Boko Haram commanders have surrendered to its troops in Operation Hadin Kai.
A statement by Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, said over hundred Boko Haram fighters with their families have surrendered to the troops.
In the statement shared alongside photos of the Boko Haram commanders, the Army said Musa Adamu, a chief bomb expert for the insurgents, and his deputy, Usman Adamu, were part of those who surrendered.
The statement read:“Following the recent escalation of offensive operations coupled with non kinetic efforts by troops of operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) which yielded massive surrendering of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province Terrorists in the North East, the Chief Bomb Expert of the terrorists group known as Musa Adamu, a.k.a Mala Musa Abuja and his second in command, Usman Adamu a.k.a Abu Darda, along with their families and followers have also finally surrendered to the troops of operation HADIN KAI in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
“The acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Brigadier General Abdulwahab Adelokun Eyitayo, was at Headquarters 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Bama on Saturday, 7 August, 2021, to receive the set of the surrendered Boko Haram terrorists and their families.
“During the visit, the GOC said their decision to drop their arms and come out is highly commendable, adding that they should also try and talk to their brothers and colleagues in the forest to come out and embrace the new life of peace and rehabilitation. General Eyitayo who spoke through an interpreter further disclosed that they will undergo some rehabilitation process at a Government facility before reintegration into the larger society.
“While distributing new cloths and assorted food items, groceries and toiletries to the surrendered terrorists and their families totalling 335 fighters, 746 adult women and children including one of the abducted Chibok girls, it was observed that the reasons for such massive turn was basically due to the intensified Nigerian military campaign on their enclaves and environs and also with the overwhelming famine, discontent, internal skirmishes, health challenges as well as untold hardship.
“The Nigerian military has resolved to intensify its both kinetic and non-kinentic approach towards the ongoing fight against insurgency in order to leverage on the knowledge of Musa Adamu and Usman Adamu and also with the current wave of turnout by terrorists to enable her achieve both short and long term counter-insurgency gains in the North East.”
The insurgents pictured by the Army were seen carrying placards, with various inscriptions such as “Nigerians, please forgive us,” ” Borno State remains the home of peace,” among others.
Please let’s not be fooled by this so-called surrender. It’s not the first. Like many other so-called surrender before this one, it is a ruse. There’s something sinister going on. We should not be deceived. This is probably the prelude to the biggest campaign of attacks the terrorist group and their collaborators will launch against Nigeria.
They usually carry out such massive attacks after allowing our troops to bask in the euphoria of winning the war and having the edge over the terrorists, resulting in the troops lowering their guard and resting on their laurel. Like all others before it, this so-called surrender is strategic on the part of the terrorists. We’ll pay dearly for it if we foolishly take it to be an innocent surrender. We should not be fooled. We’ve been here several times before. Let’s learn from recent history.