The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the establishment of a rehabilitation camp for repentant members of the terrorist group, Boko Haram, who lay-down their arms and seek rehabilitation and integration into the society.
This announcement is part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s amnesty programme for terrorists who operate in the world’s deadliest terrorist organisation, Boko Haram. Since the Islamist sect began its terrorist campaign in North Eastern Nigeria in 2009 over 20,000 people have been killed and 2 million displaced from their homes.
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Brig-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, director of Defence Information said in a media statement on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 that the camp was a component of a military exercise code named Operation Safe Corridor, was in line with the federal government’s commitment to the war against insurgency in the North-east and in furtherance of its efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate Boko Haram terrorists who embrace peace.
According to Abubakar, who said details about the camp would be disclosed at a later date, the repentant terrorists in the camp would be taken through various vocational training so that they could be useful to themselves and be empowered to contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of their fatherland.
He said: “The DHQ, therefore, wishes to appeal to other recalcitrant terrorist members that are still carrying arms against their fellow citizens in our nation to repent today and benefit from numerous opportunities offered by the camp.
“The DHQ wishes to state further that the final onslaught against the remnant group of the terrorists would continue unabated and would not relent until the power of evil forces in the North-east is completely neutralised”.
The Defence spokesman, however, warned other Boko Haram members who are reluctant to lay down their arms to do so or face the music in an impending mop-up military operation.
He urged members of the public to be extra vigilant and report any unusual persons, objects and movement to the security agencies.
Read the full press release delivered to The Trent by email below:
In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to the war against insurgency in the North East and in furtherance of its efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate surrendered and repentant Boko Haram terrorist members, the Defence Headquarters has established rehabilitation camp in an Exercise known as Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.
The main focus of Operation SAFE CORRIDOR is geared towards rehabilitating and reintegrating the repentant and the surrendering Boko Haram members back into normal life in the society. The repentant terrorists in the Camp would be taken through various vocational training so that they could be useful to themselves and be empowered to contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of their fatherland.
The Defence Headquarters therefore wishes to appeal to other recalcitrant terrorist members that are still carrying arms against their fellow citizens in our nation to repent today and benefit from numerous opportunities offered by the Camp. The DHQ wishes to state further that the final onslaught against the remnant group of the terrorists would continue unabated and would not relent until the power of evil forces in the North East is completely neutralized. The reluctant Boko Haram members should therefore see wisdom in surrendering now, thereby saving themselves from imminent calamity that is about to fall on them, in the event of military mop-up if they continue in their unwholesome acts. Furthermore, the DHQ is urging public to be extra vigilant and report any unusual persons, objects and movement to the security agencies.
Rabe Abubakar
Brigadier General
Acting Director Defence Information
