The Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has received 47
members of Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist
groups.
Member countries of MNJTF, formed in 2015, are Benin,
Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.
The terrorists surrendered to troops in the Lake Chad and
surrounding areas (Sector 1).
Chief of Military Public Information, MNJTF Col. Timothy
Antigha, in a statement on Friday, announced that the terrorists renounced with
their families.
He said their reasons were recent power tussle in the sects’
top echelon, ethnicity and failure to actualise the establishment of a caliphate
in the Sahel.
Antigha quoted an insurgent, who participated in attacks on
Banki, Fotokol, Gambarou Ngala, New Marte, Chikun Gudu and others, as
expressing frustration with the lack of progress in the jihad.
“They told us that we were being lied to and cheated by
apostate governments, but I have not seen any difference between Shekau and
those he has been condemning. I am having it a lot better here because since we
came out of the bush, we have been fed and catered for,” he said.
Antigha disclosed that another ex-fighter claimed that he
was misled to kill innocent people, for which he might face physical and
spiritual condemnation.
The defector confirmed that there was ethnic rivalry among
members of Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“If you do not speak a particular language, you can not be
appointed a commander or made a guard in the bush. You can not go for tax
collection. This discriminatory attitude made some of us feel we are not
trusted and good enough to be given responsibilities,” he added.
Antigha further quoted a female sect member who lamented the
severe abuse of women in the camps.
“Those people are ungodly, so they can not tell the world
that they are doing the will of Allah,” he said.
Antigha said the Force has been vindicated by the
testimonies.
He renewed the call on other fighters in the bush to come
out.
“MNJTF Troop Contributing Countries have structures and
programmes in place to receive all those who surrender. The MNJTF urges
communities to accept repented terrorists back after their rehabilitation, even
though some of them had perpetrated heinous crimes.”
The Force added that such a gesture by communities “will go
a long way in the continuing efforts to defeat terrorism and build peace in the
Lake Chad Basin”.
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