Nigerian military’s non-kinetic approach ineffective against advancing terrorists

The Nigerian military’s non-kinetic strategy, according to the non-governmental organisation North-East Rebuilding Movement, will significantly contribute to the restoration of security in a number of the nation’s regions.

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As a result, the northern group issued a call to terrorists operating in the Northeast to give up their weapons and utilise the new military strategy, warning that failure to do so would result in their neutralisation.

In a statement posted on Friday, the organisation expressed joy over a report indicating that 1,935 deradicalized Boko Haram militants were freed from the Bulumkutu camp in Borno State between 2016 and 2022 and reintegrated into Nigerian society.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Gwabin Musa, was quoted in a statement signed by the Group Convener, Ibrahim Goni, as saying that 67% of those who surrendered belonged to the Abubakar Shekau faction of the insurgents. The statement also stated that between 2016 and 2022, 1,543 terrorists who had repented were released from Bulumkutu camp in Borno and 1,935 were graduated from Mallam Sidi camp in Gombe State.

“It is important to emphasise that 106,000 terrorists and their families have surrendered in the North East to date. From July 2021 to May 4, 2022 alone, no fewer than 51,828 terrorists and their family members surrendered, out of which 13,360 were fighters.”

The North-East Rebuilding Movement expressed joy at the news, stating that the non-kinetic strategy is effective and urging terrorists to adopt it for their own benefit.

Successful continuous military operations, according to the group, are a sign that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, currently led by Gen. Musa, will react correctly to terrorists who have chosen not to surrender their weapons.

The group asserts that peace and stability are necessary for socioeconomic development to resume in the Northeast, and it expresses trust in the capabilities of the country’s defence commander to reestablish security throughout the area.

“We are confident that the Armed Forces, led by General Musa, are up to the challenge and will appropriately deal with the unrepentant terrorists who persist in destroying peace in our region.”

The statement read, “The North-East Rebuilding Movement honours AFN personnel for their sacrifices on behalf of our region and the entire nation.”