Boko Haram terrorists in few weeks ago have been left distraught like never before in the history of their criminal attacks on the State, having being in disarray after the troops dealt a deadly blow on them last week.
Before last week’s fire encounter in which many of them were killed, their leader, Abubakar Shekau reportedly committed suicide to evade being captured alive by the factional Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and since then, there’s no contrary report from any quarter.
On Sunday the Nigeria military urged remnants of Boko Haram insurgents to surrender and embrace peace, saying the State was willing to accept them into the society.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. A.A. Eyitayo, made the call at a feast organised for journalists by the army in Maiduguri.
Eyitayo, who is also the Commander Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, said the recent military onslaught against the insurgents dealt a decisive blow on the terrorists leaving their remnants in disarray.
He noted that nobody including the military was happy over the bloodshed, hence, the need for the remnants of the insurgents to leverage on the amnesty and repent their nefarious ways.
This, he said, would avail them (insurgents) the opportunity to enjoy rehabilitation and acquire skills to enable them to live a useful life in society.
The GOC lauded the contributions of the media in the counter-insurgency campaign and urged it to enlighten the insurgents to see the light and repent from their wasteful ventures.
“We are not here for bloodletting, nobody is happy that people are dying.
“Some of them (insurgents) are listening to the media so it is good for us to appeal to them through the media to shun violence, turn up to seek forgiveness and reconciliation,” Eyitayo said.
According to him, the feast with journalists was to show appreciation of the media reportage of military operations in the state.
“For the past three months since I assumed duty in Maiduguri in this capacity, there has never been any bad report.
“This is to appreciate the media for positive reportage,” he said.
In his remark, Mohammed Ibrahim, Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Borno State Council, commended the GOC for carrying the media along and assured him of more support and cooperation.
Mohammed also lauded the military and other security agencies involved in the fight against insurgency for their sacrifices and urged them not to relent, adding that the people of the northeast region were solidly behind them.
