By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Reports have emerged on how spouses and parents persuaded 605 ISWAP Boko Haram fighters to surrender to the Nigerian military.
PRNigeria sources said the former fighters were afraid they could be killed if they surrendered but were persuaded by their spouses and parents.
The online newspaper quoted a top intelligence operative as saying that the exercise for the repentant terrorists and their families adhered to international laws and best practices, relating to enemies willing to surrender.
The officer said: “Surprisingly, their parents and wives gave them encouragement that they would stand by them if they surrender to troops.
“The intelligence efforts are invisible but manifesting in current outcomes. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya encourages a mixed technique of kinetic and non-kinetic operations that are humane in nature as he instructed that while we accept those willing to surrender, we should not spare the stubborn one by sending them to where they belong.
“The sustained and well-coordinated military operation has exerted pressure on the terrorists who have deserted their various hideouts and camps, while their members who felt being misled are surrendering with their families to the Nigerian troops
“During profiling, some of the Commanders who surrendered to troops admitted that their various enclaves are bedevilled by hunger, disease, and the perpetual fear of military offensives.
“The media are key to shaping the troops’ resolve to continue their aggressive posture, while the citizens maintain their confidence on the military efforts on Counter-Terrorism,” he said.
