Military hands over 778 victims, wives, children of terrorists to state authorities

The military has handed over 778 people comprising abducted victims, as well as wives and children of dislodged Boko Haram terrorists to authorities in their respective states.

They were handed over to the authorities on Monday during an event held at the 4 Special Forces Command of the Nigerian Army in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

In his remarks, the Commandant, Major General Maude Gadzama, revealed that the persons came from various northern states.

He revealed that they were intercepted during various joint ‘Operation Nutcracker’ by a combined team of security operatives who forced the terrorists to flee from their hideouts, leaving their victims, wives, and children behind.

The operatives include troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, Nigerian Air Force, Command Army Records, Guards Brigade, Nigeria Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“Our gallant men and tracking experts are tracking escapee leaders such as Sadiqu, Babuji Yellow, and Buji,” Gadzama said.

He added, “The dragnet is becoming closer and closer by the day while the tracking signals are getting stronger by the seconds, therefore, catching up this window of opportunity given by the Chief of Army Staff for all terrorists to surrender. They must not miss this ample opportunity.”

The major general revealed that the terrorists settled in forest areas at the borders of Benue and Nasarawa States eight years ago but became hostile only seven months ago.

According to him, members of the group previously known as Darus-Salam are said to have relocated from Niger State before a Boko Haram leader came there, executed their leader and deputy, as well as brainwashed them with the beliefs of Boko Haram.

Gadzama explained that the terrorists were planning to unleash mayhem in the FCT and parts of the North before they were busted by security operatives.

He said while some of the women were abductees who were forced to become sex slaves, others aided and abetted terrorism.

The military officer stated that those being handed over would be profiled and rehabilitated and others found culpable would be investigated and prosecuted accordingly.

At the event, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Niger States, as well as the FCT were represented while there was no representation from the remaining northern states.

The Deputy Governor of Nasarawa, Emmanuel Akabe, whose state received 19 people added his voice to the call by the military for terrorists to surrender their weapons.

He said, “We need peace in this country, we need peace everywhere. Without peace, there can’t be development and Nigeria needs development.

“Without peace, there cannot be progress and Nigeria needs to progress and it is for their own good that wherever they are (the fleeing terrorists), they should come out and surrender themselves.”

On his part, Niger State Deputy Governor, Ahmad Ketso, whose state got 318 people, revealed the action plan of the government.

He explained that the government has made an arrangement that on arrival, the persons would be profiled and questioned on where they were coming from and their various local governments.

The Senior Special Assistant on the Kogi State Governor on Security, Doru Jerry, also received 46 people on behalf of the state government.

He said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies must go all out ensure that they clear the remnants and ensure that those captured are well profiled by the various states.”

Several arms, ammunition, improvised explosive devices, and rocket making materials recovered from the camps of the criminals were paraded at the event.