The Nigerian army said more Boko haram members comprising of 67 adult males, 54 adult females and 65 children surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai at forwarding Operational Base (FOB) Ajiri in Borno state.
This follows the massive and unprecedented number of terrorists who have repented in Bama and Ajiri parts of the state, bringing the total number of repented insurgents to 219.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig General Onyema Nwachukwu, on Monday in Abuja. He revealed that after the mass surrender, ISWAP has recently resorted to Social Media propaganda in order to create deception and give the impression that it is still a strong and commanding entity.
Nwachukwu said there is confusion in the Camp of ISWAP at the moment and fear among the remaining terrorists, as severe apprehension is said to have enveloped the terrorists’ camps and amongst its top-ranking commanders over their member’s repentance which has reduced the sect’s fighting strength.
In the statement, Nwachukwu said, “Following the recent unprecedented and massive surrendering of Boko Haram Terrorists in Bama Operational area on 2nd and 4th August 2021 respectively, there has been confusion and severe apprehension in the camps of the Islamic State of West Africa Province especially amongst its top-ranking commanders over the depleting strength of its members, which has drastically dwindled their overall fighting efficiency.
“It is against this backdrop that the terrorist group opted for the use of propaganda via AMAQ Terrorists Media Wing with the aim to portray the group as if it is still a potent force in the North East.
“The current trend of apprehension in their camps was further aggravated by the recent alarming turn out of members of the terrorist group, who came out in droves with their families to lay down their arms and surrender to own troops at Mafa Local Government Area on 14 August 2021.
“A total of 186 Boko Haram Terrorists members led by their Amir, Manye Aga, comprising 67 adult males, 54 adult females and 65 children surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai at forwarding Operational Base (FOB) Ajiri.
“Items recovered from the surrendered terrorists include several AK 47 rifles and magazines, a locally made pistol and 8 locally fabricated daggers.
“Similarly, on 15 August 2021, the Theatre took custody of additional Boko Haram fighters, comprising of 4 adult males, 11 adult females and 18 children from Landanli, Azah, Ngaridua and Kondilla villages, who surrendered to own troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, Banki Junction in Bama.
“ISWAP is yet to come to terms with the reality of its current predicament, which has posed a serious negative impact on its prowess.
“It is also worthy of note that the terrorists are overwhelmed with palpable fear and are making desperate efforts to halt the ongoing surrendering of their fighters from the Tumbus and Sambisa axis.
“The Nigerian Military is more resolute in intensifying both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in the fight against insurgency, banditry and sundry crimes in the country.”
The surrender of some members of the dreaded boko haram is a great news. Seems that due to the increased onslaught of our heroic military force in the combat field, successful encounters are bringing these people to their knees.
As has been discussed in the past. It may well be that the repentant persons may be reintegrated into the society after some mandatory psychosocial evaluations and support system may have been extended to them.
I want to say that the prevailing level of psychosocial supports are acutely limited to talk therapy and prayers when it comes to the mind adjustment aspect. The effectiveness of this level of support has become very limited also.
It is important that Government and Agencies involved in bringing these repentants and also those who had been recovered from them as previous captives are made to go through effective mental and hearty reprogramming.
The victims should be made to undergo emotional trauma resolution therapy with a new modality now called Energy Psychology and Energy Medicine. A combination of these two modalities is what I promote in Nigeria as Energy Therapy.
Energy Therapy is drugless and works at the energy level to clear mental perturbations and restore energetic harmony and balance. It reprograms the mind and clears negative beliefs and Stress. It heals symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder -PTSD, and Moral Injury -MI, which is usually prevaillent amongst Children and Women in Armed Conflicts areas forced into carrying arms.
Cheers,
Chief Dr Iwowarri James
CEO, Goldenrays Energy Health Services Ltd, Abuja. &
Chief Consultant at Emotional Trauma Resolution Clinic, Lagos.