The recently surrendered Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have been assured of being humanely treated.
Maj.Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) gave the assurance during an interaction with the surrendered terrorists in Mora, Extreme North Region, Cameroun.
A statement by Col. Timothy Antigha, MNJTF Chief of Military Public Information on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Chad, quoted Yusuf as saying that the Boko Haram /ISWAP idea was misplaced and orchestrated by few misguided individuals, who desired to inflict suffering on millions of people in the Lake Chad Basin, for their own selfish and personal interests.
He noted that countries affected by Boko Haram insurgency had developed their respective Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Resettlement (DD/RR) programmes to address the peculiar challenges introduced by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Yusuf urged the repentant terrorists to encourage their former colleagues and friends still in the bush to come out and surrender.
In his reaction, the spokesperson of the group (name with held) commended MNJTF authorities for accommodating and catering for them and their families.
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According to the spokesperson, contrary to a widely held opinion that fighters who surrendered are being killed, members of his group are safe.
The representative disclosed that their commanders told them that they will be killed if they surrender, adding “But here we are being treated like human beings.”
The spokesperson regretted the atrocities that they were misled to commit and prayed for forgiveness.
The statement disclosed that the Force Commander also used the opportunity to operationalise the EU funded direct supply of Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants to Sector 1 of the MNJTF.
It noted: “It will be recalled that fortnight ago, the MNJTF launched the programme in Sector 4 Diffa (Niger Republic).
“All sectors of the MNJTF are benefiting from the EU intervention.”
