Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff, has urged Nigerians to take an active part in resolving the insurgency there.
On Tuesday in Abuja, Mr. Yahaya made the request during a three-day seminar with the theme “Rehabilitation of Repentant Insurgents in Nigeria; Issues, Challenges and Sustainability.”
The seminar was put on by the Nigerian Army Resource Center, Office of the National Security Adviser, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, and
He claimed that the workshop was a part of the effort being made nationally to create a workable plan for the management of insurgents who have been captured in the North East.
According to him, the kinetic efforts of the military, especially the Nigerian army, has led to the surrender of over 87,000 terrorists and their families in the region.
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He said that all those who surrendered had laid down their arms and embraced peace.
“As we celebrate this achievement, it is important we know that it has its numerous challenges on troops operational activities, logistic support and above all, the morale of those performing their constitutional roles in the region.
“There is also the issue of local populace’s acceptance of the repentant and surrendered terrorists back to their local communities, and also the effect of such mass surrender on the three tiers of government,” he said.
Mr Yahaya said the military, alongside other security agencies had performed creditably well to ensure that the surrounded insurgents were humanely treated.
He asserts that this has been in keeping with the military’s core values of treating everyone with respect, regardless of their involvement in crimes or murders.
According to him, the army or security agencies have little to do with the rehabilitation and reintegration of the terrorists who have admitted their wrongdoing.
These obstacles are in front of us and are staring straight at us and our tactical allies. Every organization and institution must comprehend the current issue.
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“The need to manage these ex-combatants who have been handed over while balancing that need with the needs of the communities and people who have suffered because of their actions.
The COAS stated, “Above all, we must comprehend and be ready, willing and able to fulfill our various roles for the benefit of the system and mankind.”
Given that all of the tasks involved must be completed at once, Mr. Yahaya acknowledged that the task was enormous and difficult.
He urged terrorists who were still hiding in the bush to accept peace while admonishing them that the armed forces were still dedicated to protecting the country.
