200 Boko Haram Insurgents Surrender After Banki Town Fell
The Operation Theatre Commander of Operation "Lafiya Dole" in the North East , Major- General Yushau Abubakar has told the press in Maiduguri that 200 Boko Haram insurgents surrendered to the Nigerian Army on Friday after the fall of Banki a border town along Nigeria/Cameroun .
Speaking at the Headquarters of the "Operation lafiya Dole" when members of the Correspondent's Chapel of Nigrria Union of Journalists in Borno , he said," more than 200 boko haram members surrendered on Friday after the fall of Banki border town yesterday".
He disclosed that more successes are recorded on daily basis by the military due to the examplary leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai adding that normalcy is returning to most of the areas liberated from the insurgents and most residents surrender to the military for screening to ascertain their innocence.
Explaining the large number of those who surrender, the Theatre Commander said,"once the terrorist occupy an area they conscript the villagers and as soon as such areas are liberated the conscripts immediately surrender and are willing to undergo screening.
He said the ongoing operation should not be seen as a military affair alone but it should involve every citizen as the battle can only be won with the support and cooperation of all.
General Abubakar also announced that many of the bridges destroyed by the terrorists are being reconstructed by the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers who are working round the clock to complete this task.
The Theatre Commander also announced that the vigilance of security operatives have led to the arrest of someone who was planning to plant Improvised Explosive Devise ( IED) at the Madinatu mosque a day before Sallah adding that his arrest has ked to the arrest of the perpetrators of the deadly bomb explosions that killed many people in Maiduguri.
He called on various communities and organisations to start organising vigilantee groups to monitor their areas, it will go a long way in safeguarding our collective security.
General Abubakar announced that while prosecuting the war on terror, the Military is guided by laws hence terrorists who surrender are immediately rehabilitated stressing that currently there are 36 such Internally Displaced Persons camps ( IDPs) run by the military in the North East.
He called for more partnership between the Media and the Military in facing the Challenges of fighting Insugency stressing that it is important for Nigerians to be kept informed of what the military is doing for them to be appreciated.