Nigerian Military Welcomes 129,417 Repentant Boko Haram Terrorists and Their Families
In a significant development in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against terrorism, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, announced the surrender of 129,417 Boko Haram terrorists and their families to Nigerian security forces between July 2023 and December 2024. This remarkable figure, disclosed during the 18th Africa Security Watch Initiative (SWAI) Conference held in Doha, Qatar, includes 30,426 fighters, 36,774 women, and 62,265 children.
General Musa characterized these surrenders as a testament to the Nigerian military’s effective strategies in combatting terrorism and fostering a safer, more stable society essential for socio-economic growth. Emphasizing the theme, “Developing Modules for People-Centric Governance Towards Enhancement of Peace and Security,” he attributed the substantial number of repatriations to the successful integration of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches under Operation HADIN KAI.
In his presentation titled “The Nexus Between Citizen’s Socio-Economic Development and National Defence,” General Musa highlighted that the increasing frequency of surrenders reflects the fruitful impact of the military’s comprehensive methodology. “We have made significant progress in fostering a peaceful society that guarantees improved socio-economic conditions for our citizens,” he stated.
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The general also elaborated on the military’s contributions to national stability, noting the rise in oil production, a decrease in attacks on vulnerable communities, and the implementation of innovative operational strategies aimed at overcoming the root causes of terrorism.
The SWAI Conference attracted distinguished participants, including Retired Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, who stressed the importance of purposeful leadership as a cornerstone of effective security measures. Reflecting on his time as Chief of Naval Staff, he underscored how a focus on personnel welfare significantly contributed to operational successes within the Navy.
Additionally, Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, provided insights into Nigeria’s counter-terrorism accomplishments, noting 505 convictions achieved across five trial phases and the neutralization of key insurgent leaders such as Abubakar Shekau. He commended regional collaboration, legislative reforms, and deradicalization efforts—including Operation SAFE CORRIDOR—for their pivotal roles in combating terrorism.
Patrick Agbambu, President of the Security Watch Africa Initiative, called attention to the intrinsic link between national defense and socio-economic growth, advocating for the continuous evolution of strategies to achieve enduring peace across Africa.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, articulated his administration’s commitment to people-centric governance, advocating for the ASSURED Prosperity agenda, which emphasizes peace, security, and economic development for the residents of Bayelsa.
The 18th SWAI Conference reaffirmed the necessity of employing multifaceted strategies in addressing insecurity while highlighting the crucial integration of security initiatives with socio-economic development for sustainable progress.
By PRNigeria
